15 years

Fifteen years ago, I was 18. I was in my second year of CEGEP. Fifteen years ago I was finally in the same school as one of my closest friends. Fifteen years ago it was a cold, wet, miserable October weekend. I remember sitting in choir practice waiting for them to arrive. It was only the day before that she and I had said "See you at choir!". I didn't know why they had not shown up yet. Choir practice seemed so long and dull and people were missing who were normally there. When mass started, I knew something was wrong. It was only after mass had ended that I found out - my friend and her mother had been in a car accident earlier that day.One of my closest friends was in the hospital and her mother, one of my mother's closest friends, didn't make it. I spent that night wide awake in shock and grief. The next day, Sunday, I wrote the song below. Only later on did I find out that I wrote it almost at the exact same time Erin had passed away. Ever since then, I have posted the lyrics as a tribute on the anniversary of her passing. This year? Fifteen years have gone by since the accident and I can't believe it.She will always be 17.This post is dedicated to Heather & Erin. I miss you and I am a better person having had you in my life for those 18 years.

~~>--<@>--<~~

erin walker :: august 6, 1977 - october 23, 1994

when i close my eyes

she's too young to be forgottenher world has only just begunher future is an empty slatewaiting to be filledand i see herstanding therewhen i close my eyes

dancing in the skyover moonbeams, around cloudsstarlight in her eyesangels in her hairand i see herwhen i close my eyes

child of the sunlightdaughter of the daysleeping on bed of roseswith flowers in her hair

the wind it softly kissed her cheekthe raindrops fell like tears

and i see herwhen i close my eyes

a thousand white candlestheir flames dancing with the airas rocks play tag with ocean

she's fast asleepnever to be woken

and i see herwhen i close my eyes

© catherine healyOctober 23, 1994