Remembering a Friend

It’s been over a year since she died. I think about her often.  When I think of the office, I think of her.  I miss her laughter – it bellowed beyond the office – down the halls and probably into many of the classrooms.  And the smile.  Her smile was so genuine.  I looked forward to seeing it and wish it wasn’t gone.  She knew everyone who came to the front desk.  The new parents got to know her quickly as she took the time to help them figure out how to work with their new school.  It was such a testament to her, the number of parents who extended their sympathies when she died.  I think they were afraid of how lost they felt with her gone.  We were all feeling a little lost.

About 6 months before she died I got to work with her and her sister; Renee.  We worked together on a project to help Renee in her doctoal studies.  Cyl, as she was called by her family, was in charge of talking to a few, specfic, “hard to reach” parents.  She had it done in a couple of days.  She didn’t see people as “difficult” and they responded to that. 

Cyl was in the prime of her life.  She had just earned her degree in social work and was poised and ready to be a life coach for so many.  I think she was already a life coach to every soul that passed through the Kolmar office.  We were very lucky to know her and to have her in our lives.