Chocolate covered cherries and stockinged feet

Trying to reminisce with myself isn't much fun, but reading some of the other posts made the memories come back more easily and helped me reconnect with my delightful friend Chelsea, so thanks to those of you who have shared. Hopefully my memories can help to spark some other for those of you who have yet to post!

I spent the semester of Fall 2000 in London with Chelsea and immediately found her to be one of the most charming women I had ever encountered. Her genuineness and enthusiasm were unmatched by anyone I had ever met (or have to this day, as I think about it) and I found her to be radiant.

One of my favorite traits in a friend is an ability to laugh at one's self, as I think much of our best comic material is found right at home base. I have the clearest picture in my mind of sitting on the bedroom floor with Chelsea as she promised that nothing on this green Earth was funnier than the sight of her stocking feet. She proceeded to remove her pants and pull her socks up tight over her calves and ankles, the skinniest little calves and ankles I have ever laid eyes on. I don't know if it was the sight of her scrawny lower limbs that made me laugh, or her priceless delivery and willingness to sacrifice the dignity of her extremities for the sake of her laughing cohorts, but there is no way I can do justice to those little stockinged feet. Just trust me: they redefined funny.

I also recall feeling touched by Chelsea's unbridled love for her family, and her particular pride in her mother. Several moms sent care packages to their kids, and I remember a few in particular that were teased without abandon. However, when Chelsea opened her package, she fawned over every detail of her mother's gift to her, noticing each thoughtfulness from the beautiful wrapping to the inclusion of the chocolate covered cherries of which she was so fond. I myself was a largely ungrateful person at the age of nineteen and saw my own mother primarily as a target for my own entertainment (thankfully, I have a very tolerant and resilient mother) but Chelsea always spoke of her mother with the respect, even awe, that she certainly deserved. By the time our Study Abroad was over, we all knew Karen Hale was a special lady and had absorbed some of Chelsea's admiration for her.

I often think of Chelsea and miss having her unique personality and heartfelt goodness in my life. I'm thankful for the memories I have, as well as those others have shared. It is truly a blessing to be reminded of a person who did so much good and shared so much of what life has to offer, even though her own was so short. I'm grateful to have been a part of her life, and even more to have had her as a part of mine.

Amy (Peterson) Lee