Don’t let your life pass you by
Yesterday was such a blur. I got a call early Friday morning, I don’t normally answer calls that wake me up, but for some reason I did. All I remember hearing was a sobbing voice telling me that Chase was dead. Tears immediately filled my eyes. All of the 2007 Bellevue High graduates were calling each other, crying, screaming, cursing. How could someone so genuine, so caring, be ripped from this world in such a tragic manner? Last night was his candlelight vigil. His friends filled the entire BHS football stadium, where we had all watched him catch game winning passes in the years prior. Hundreds of people were gripping their little white candles, crying in each other’s arms. Teachers, friends, family, teammates. The emotions in the air were palpable. I don’t remember much of the hour and half of sitting in those bleachers, but I do know that Chase had to have known he was loved. The stories were touching, and the display of support immeasurable. After the vigil I was in my car driving down Bellevue Way when “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan came on the radio, I’ve never heard this song on the radio before and knew that it had to be for Chase. I’m still grappling with the events of the past 24 hours, and I’m sure I will be for some time to come. But this event, more than anything else, has made me realize how truly fragile life is. Enjoy it.
