For Alli.

Hi blog readers...
It is a heavy heart that accompanies me for this evenings blog. I woke this morning to learn that a young woman from our little Lake community was killed last night in a car accident - the night before she was to leave for college - after saying goodbye to a friend....Just miles away from her house...
I have no good words for this kind of loss - I never have, I guess I never will.
I lost my best friend when I was 18 and it changed the course of my life -
Tonight as I think of Alli, I think of all her friends who changed today when they woke up to learn of a new life without her.
I think of her parents and her sister.
I think of my community and all the neighbors and peers who are reeling from the shock of such a terrible and senseless loss.
What words are there for a death like this?
I knew Alli personally - not well mind you, but personally.
She was a beautiful young woman with eyes that sparkled with promise and a smile that surely would have made many a boy fall straight smack in love.
She was warm and funny and kind.
A good girl.
She was adorable, energetic and giggly.
She was the kind of girl I imagine we would have heard great things about as she progressed through life.
What words can there ever be?
This loss makes me ache inside, a dull throb that cannot be comforted, cannot be ignored.
I am sad for what all those who loved her are going through and sad for her, that she will never get to start her first day at Radford.
I know all too well what her BFF's are going through - I hurt for them so much.
I don't know what her parents are going through and I hope and pray that I never, ever do - I hurt for them in a way that I cannot express without literally going to places in my mind that make me physically ill.
What words exist that can begin to comfort a bereaved Mother?
I guess when things like this happen, we hope there is a purpose, hope there is a point, hope someone, somewhere learns a lesson that makes it worth something, anything...
I hope my kids understand that life is precious and guard it like it is - I hope they remember Alli when they consider, if even for a second, NOT appreciating their life.
But, all kids have to learn in their own time - maybe Alli's death will hit or miss with mine - or yours....
Regardless - I still hear no words in my head that will sound like they make any reasonable sense of this loss if I say them aloud, or type them here for you to read.
I have a heavy heart and unfortunately, I am not alone.
Peaceful Slumber sweet girl.