Over the last few months, I had two friends from high school pass away. In fact, one died on May 27th and the other died on July 27th. Needless to say, it's been a crazy to see friends I haven't seen in 11 years, at funerals.
My first friend, Lise Palmer, I'd known since I was six or seven. She lived up the street from me and was one of my first friends ever. She and I didn't graduate being best friends, but it still shocked me when she was hit by a car while eight months pregnant. Since she was an avid runner (and running when she was hit), there will be a 5k in August to raise money for her husband and two sons.
My second friend, Brandon McKee, passed away on July 27th after he had a seizure and suffocated. I met him my sophomore year in high school. He was my first high school boyfriend and my first kiss. We remained friends throughout high school. I went to his funeral on August 6th.
After attending both funerals, I was able to see about 90% of my closest friends from high school. It was under really tragic circumstances, but it was great to reconnect with old friends. I don't have any pictures from Lise's funeral, so the pictures below are from Brandon's.
My first friend, Lise Palmer, I'd known since I was six or seven. She lived up the street from me and was one of my first friends ever. She and I didn't graduate being best friends, but it still shocked me when she was hit by a car while eight months pregnant. Since she was an avid runner (and running when she was hit), there will be a 5k in August to raise money for her husband and two sons.
My second friend, Brandon McKee, passed away on July 27th after he had a seizure and suffocated. I met him my sophomore year in high school. He was my first high school boyfriend and my first kiss. We remained friends throughout high school. I went to his funeral on August 6th.
After attending both funerals, I was able to see about 90% of my closest friends from high school. It was under really tragic circumstances, but it was great to reconnect with old friends. I don't have any pictures from Lise's funeral, so the pictures below are from Brandon's.
This is a picture of me, Jessika, and Brandon at our senior party in 2000.
This is me, Jessika, and Melody right around graduation in 2000. We were best of friends senior year!
And here we are together 11 years later after Brandon's service; the first time the three of us have been together since 2000.
This is Melody and me with our good friend Mark. I realized Melody and I were both Jazz Choir partners with Mark in high school.
After Brandon's service, we went to the McKee's house to celebrate his life and reminisce. Friends from high school: Brenden, Jennifer, Rachel, Paul, me, and Jessika.
Jeff was Brandon's best friend and one of my best guy friends in high school.
Friends! Brandi, Hillary, Steve, Me, Daniel, Mandy, and Jessika.
A lot of the RHS grads who were out to support B. McKee. So many wonderful people.
Lise and Brandon were both loved by so many people and loved everyone selflessly. They both had an infectious love of life and boundless energy. Neither reached their 30th birthday. There were many similar personality traits in these two, yet I'm not sure they even really knew each other in high school. It's been a sad couple of months, but I've been handed a greater appreciation for my life, family, and friends thanks to the legacies each of them left behind. My prayers continually go out to everyone who is suffering from the loss of these two amazing people.
