There were pictures of you, impossibly thin and blonde
Your hair was long and your eyes were so alive.

I could see the energy within you, it was so powerful and always questioning and wanting to learn.

I loved how much you wanted to know, how much you were driven to understand

But you also wanted to share and you chose to share with me.   Not me alone, but I felt I was part of something important.

That was your gift, you made others feel there was a place they were always welcome

You welcomed us all, no judgements were made.  You may have laughed at us sometimes, but there was no malice, no unkind words

This was your gift, you gave a place to be.

It feels very different now with you gone.  

The space you leave was sometimes prickly, sometimes gruff, but always thoughtful and always bright.  

We need that brightness more than ever now