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When I first met Linda, I was blown away. She was this smiley, bright-eyed
burst of energy who just exuded spunk and affection. With a tilt of her head,
a shrug of her shoulders, and the warmest, most genuine smile I’d ever seen,
she captured my heart. In what seemed like an instant she went from being
Linda to my little sweet pea. She became my friend, my family and everything
in between.
It was almost ridiculous how our silly tastes were so similar, from our love
of care bears and anything in the form of a stuffed animal to our love of rocks,
of throwing them, and of remembering to aim. From our love of meatball subs to
our love of eggs and mashed potatoes after talking until six in the morning.
We also shared a knack for being really indecisive.
But beneath that persona was an intelligent, strong, driven and compassionate
individual who knew that she would make a difference in the world. And oh, has
she done that. Ask her family. Ask me. Ask the person who sat next to her
in class. Ask your sibling who spent an evening playing quarters with her and
her friends. Ask the people who spent this past New Year’s Eve with her. Ask
the people in her sorority. Ask the girls she played volleyball with.
All of them will give you the same answer: Linda was beautiful. Linda was loving.
Linda made a difference in my life.
Until this past week, I never truly understood how someone could touch so many
lives and make so many people smile. Linda did just that. Once you met her,
you couldn’t do anything but know her, love her, and want to protect her.
Pea, you mean the world to me. I never got a chance to tell you just how much
I look up to you and how proud of you I am. I never got to thank you for being
my pea. I cherish our friendship and our memories, and I love you. Pea, ping
pong will never ever be the same without you.
With love,
Sars
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