Goodbye Vanessa.

Today we laid you in your final resting place. We said our goodbyes and sent you off with the warmest of farewells. I didn't know you that well but I have to say, you made quite an impact on me for how little we knew of each other. You were beautiful in every way. I so admired you. I know you were strong but what grieves my heart is the amount of pain you carried with you every day. I suppose what I really need to say to you is just how sad I am that you had to experience that pain in your life. I hurt for you. I'm sad that your life had to end so soon before you were really able to resolve that pain and enjoy your life. I'm sad that your pain was so bad that you had no choice but to seek relief from it. I'm so sorry that your relief is what took your life, even when you didn't mean for it to.

I'm so heartbroken. I wish I could tell you just how wonderful of a person you are and how I and so many others respected and looked up to you. I want to tell you just how much losing you pains me; you have no idea what you meant to me. I hope you can see it through clearer eyes now. I wish you could see and feel the love for you that exists in the hearts of those who mourn over you now.

You're gone sweet girl, but you'll never be forgotten. In what little contact we've had with each other, you've impacted my life and the lives of my friends in a very positive and very permanent way. So I only have one more thing to say: thank you for being a part of my life. I am so much better for having known you. It has been my honor and privilege. Now the Lord has received you with open and welcoming arms. You hurt no more, and you're joyfully singing and dancing in the presence of our Loving Creator.