I have just received news that a former classmate of mine in high school passed away. My initial reaction was that of utter disbelief. I refused to swallow what I just heard. It happened so fast and too soon.

My first encounter with this magnificent woman was back in our freshman year. She was one of the new girls in the class. She seemed quiet and timid, and that was how I recognized her. That was all I could make out of her then. It was not until our senior year that she betrayed the extraordinary flair she secretly possessed. As timid as she seemed to be, she had skills that no one else could ever level to. She danced like a graceful tongue of fire on a candle stick; she played the piano ever so beautifully, it reduced me to tears. She disclosed a candid humor that brought everyone to the ground in tears, laughing.

Secretly, I had developed a tremendous sense of admiration for her. She held traits I wished I had myself. She manifested a height of confidence I could not reach. She was unafraid of the world. She loved and cared equitably.

It wounds me that I am unable to even have a glimpse of her. I am saddened by the vast physical distance that hinders me from seeing her. I wish I could just click my heels and magically appear right where she lies so I can be together with our fellow sisters and keep an eye on her.

And so the music stopped playing as the tape had reached its end; and yet it continues to ring in my head...