the girl who graduated
She wasn’t there among us and most of us didn’t know. Her name was announced and yet no one appeared for the handshake. Everyone applauded at first but slowly stopped. John Taylor continued to say that she had died before the completion of her studies in a car accident. Everyone’s heart sank. John resumed by saying that her brother would be receiving her certificate in her place and a young man appeared on stage. The loudest of applauses shook the room. The real kind. The kind that you can feel deep inside and which moves your heart.
No one would stop clapping and no one wanted to. It was important that she heard us where she was and I bet she did.
To you, Jess, in celebration of your life, I want to dedicate my own graduation. I wish you were there with us yesterday. I didn’t know you but I’d love to have met you. You will always be remembered and missed.
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Danalyn said:Will everyone just stop posting stuff that will make me cry this week? Please?
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
April said:That is a beautiful tribute. Wow.
Congratulations on graduating, btw.
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Hilly said:Your story made my heart clench for a moment. Good for them…and you…not stopping the clapping, I mean.
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Miss Ann Thrope said:That’s so sad and very beautifully written.
You do realise that stuff like this makes me tear up (I am a total crybaby) and that makes my eyes red and I have to go shopping.
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Danalyn said:MA: No! Everyone knows you’re a big mean cold-hearted poopie head!
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Miss Ann Thrope said:criz ies owt.
ey m knot poopie hed. jutr meen. axe ane1.
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
yoshi said:wow. that is amazing. just crazy.
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Etienne said:kind-and-gentle-soul
Commented on August 1st, 2008 at 11:26 pmsee: Colin Brooks
Ruthie said:that is the SWEETEST thing! Crying over here!
Commented on August 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 am
Lisa said:Wow, that is incredibly touching, incredibly moving.
I take it though that this means you have graduated too? Where’s the celebration for you and all of your hard work? Where’s the joy, the pride and the congratulations?
Commented on August 2nd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
diz said:What a nice tribute. Congratulations on graduating, and celebrating a life. You are all of the things everyone’s calling you up there in comments
Commented on August 3rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Debbie said:That is a really lovely tribute
Congratulations to you as well, hope it feels good to no longer be an undergrad!
Commented on August 4th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Colin Brooks said:Thank you all for your lovely words. I have nothing to add because this post was not about me or for me. It was for that girl and I’d like to leave it like that. You are all very sweet and sorry if this made you cry. *hugs everyone*
annie said:That’s incredibly sad. All that hard work and her whole life ahead of her.
Commented on August 10th, 2008 at 1:18 am