June 15

Dear Edith,

Life is short.

I know most of us have heard this phrase before, but do we really stop to think about it? I feel like there's way more to it than just going out and being reckless because 'you only live once.'

I think it's more than drinking and partying because we have no time to waste.

No, that's definitely not what it is about. I mean, don't get me wrong, we all need some fun now and then.

Life is indeed short and I realized I needed to take this in as a reminder to appreciate what I have when I have it. The phrase might not mean my life is short, but it could mean someone else's is. It could be mine, my friend's, my brother's... I'll take time to appreciate them. To stop. To think...

I'm happy because you were part of my life.

I've learned that nothing can teach you a harder lesson than losing someone. Doesn't matter if they're a close friend or just an acquaintance, when they're gone... it still hits you.

Everyone you meet impacts your life in some way. You, you impacted mine more than I realized. Whether it was just the laughs we shared, the smiles, the conversations... They were all inputs to my life.

It's the middle of the night and I find myself here on the verge of tears. Why is that? Of course my pain isn't anywhere near to that of your family, but it's there.

A life that is gone. A road that crossed in many ways with mine. A road that ended.

Looking back at you sitting there in school, you were never more than a sweet girl. No matter how frustrated you made the teachers with your comical lack of common sense, you always found a way to make people smile in the end. That girl, I mean, who would've thought?

I didn't.

It's always the hardest to see the people who are the brightest, loudest... look quiet and sad.

I love even though I say things and I don't agree sometimes. I love and I can say it. From now on, I won't be afraid to say it.

Edith, you changed my life. Thank you.

I love you,

Raffaella Vinno