It just stormed. Now there is a rainbow.
This weekend has been an interesting one. I graduated from college five months ago and returned to school for the first time since I graduated. I hadn't intended to go to commencement. Until I heard about an incredible act by the University.
My roommate sophomore year was killed in a car accident the day before she started her senior year of college. We weren't super close anymore; but that girl was amazing. The kindest girl anyone will ever meet.
The higherups at school responded to requests from her friends to award her her diploma.
I heard about this after the ceremony had started and almost sprinted to the hockey arena. I slipped into the back of the room right as they were announcing her. They explained to the audience what happened and how this girl was so influential and active. Her younger sister and brother walked across the stage and accepted her diploma.
I didn't cry at her funeral. Oh, how I wanted to. I didn't cry after. Many days in the last eight months, I have wanted to.
Tears rose in my eyes as I watched Heidi take Tif's diploma. As I resisted the urge to melt into a puddle, I thought about Tif. I know I made her cry a few times, but she never held that against me. She knew I wasn't really in tune with feelings and all that crap.
She wouldn't have wanted me to cry for her at her graduation. She would have been bawling tears of joy/"oh my goodness I am never going to see you again" tears. I am almost sure of it. But, no. This was a happy day. She earned that diploma. I fought back the tears and smiled.
While rarely a day goes by that I don't think about her and sometimes it's just how tragic this is-how sad. But mostly, I think about all the great times we had. All the times she saved my butt. All the times I embarrassed her in front of a boy (or a professor). How lucky I was to know her.
I was told a long time ago that a rainbow was God smiling down on us telling us the storm was over and everything is okay now. I miss her; but, I know she is there. Always there. I love you, Tiffy.
