Memories of Chelsea

I still think of Chelsea almost everyday. I have many sweet memories of her. Many times when I call Emily's cell phone I get her answering machine. She still has the message Chelsea left for her before she left forLondon. I know Emily will always keep that message. Chelsea was like one of my own children.We loved having her in our home. She got along well with every one of us. She liked to ask me what I was reading. I remember driving the girls to Newport for their Senior Trip. Chelsea was worried I would fall asleep so she read to me the book I brought. The other girls were asleep but Chel was reading "Memiors of a Geisha" out loud.

I loved watching the girls swim over the years. We have a little Bronze in our living room to remind us of the Relay Team. I know the Hales and Jardines have one too. The girls would get in a circle before and after a race and get pumped for the race or comfort each other after a race.

I remember one time the day of a dance Emily decided she would get her hair done. She got back from the hairdresser and was sobbing because he hated her hair. The girls usually wanted a few pictures before the dance. We have pictures of Emily crying and Chelsea comforting her in their Prom dresses.

We love visiting Chelsea's grave. On Chelsea's birthday several years ago Emily and I drove to the grave. A foot of fresh snow covered all the markers. I got out and started to push the snow away with the heel of my boot. I was thinking...Chelsea, where is your marker? I looked up and a ray of shunshine came through the clouds and shone down on a spot of snow. I pushed the snow away where the sun shone and it was Chelsea's stone. She lives and shines on us from time to time.

Love you forever,

Liz Cook