Thinking of you today, Cece. 

I always felt like kindred spirits. I had thoughts about leaving this world early when I was in high school too. I changed my mind, I think partly because of the shock losing you had on all of us. Bullying, personal demons: teenage girls face more than we sometimes give them credit. Things get so hard and peoples words can be so heavy. It’s a huge loss on our part as your peers that we didn’t see just how much hurt you truly felt. For that I know many people are forever sorry and will forever long to reach out to you. I wished I had been your friend, I was older and I knew you weren’t treated well by some people. And I know how it feels to be a little girl in a big high school, in a big world, and to feel like things are just too much sometimes. I also know you were loved, though. You did have support and you did try your best to stay smiling. For such a small girl you stood so bright and tall. You hid your hurt and made every day count

You’re a beautiful girl, inside and out. you’ll forever have your youthful beauty in everyone’s memories and it will never fade or change. A silver lining to this unchanging heavy cloud.

I know you found your peace. 

We still remember you, Cece.