RIP Rasha

I'm sure you noticed that I haven't blogged in a while. And I don't feel like I can until I address something that happened recently...

A friend of mine from Brooklyn, Rasha, was in a terrible accident last week and cruelly taken from us this weekend. A wonderful young woman's life cut short. It goes without say that this was an unexpected and devastating loss for all of us. But most especially, her family and loving boyfriend, Josue.

Josue and Rasha were truly a super couple - the kind that you don't think exist - yet they somehow weren't annoying. If you saw them together, you could see and feel the love they had for each other. I've never known another couple like that. And even as she lay unresponsive in the hospital, I was so moved by how Josue looked at her and spoke to her the exact same way he always did - so sweetly and so tenderly, with such perfect love. It was beautiful, but heart breaking. And I still cry every time I remember it.

Up until this point in my life, I was lucky enough to never have lost a friend - and never anyone around my age. It's not been easy for me, but I don't care about me. I realize my grief pales in comparison to what Josue and her family must be dealing with, and will have to endure for the rest of their lives. It tears me apart every time I think about it.

Rasha was a beautiful, wonderful, kind, talented and artistic woman. A genuinely good person with a great soul. My favorite memory of Rasha was that she and Josue threw a joint birthday party last year at their apartment - and it was a CANDY party. All candy - everywhere you looked: starbursts, jelly beans, gummy bears, jujyfruits, licorice... candy candy candy! (as you know, I love candy!!) It was genius.

I still tear up when I go to the gym- because more often than not, as I would walk into the cardio room, I would see her. Either on the cardio machine I was going to sign up for, or stretching. And I'd smile and wave to her through the mirror or take out an earbud and say hello. I even cried when I was on the cross trainer last night, because that's the last place I saw her- on that very machine not even 2 weeks ago.

I can honestly say that in the time I have known her, I have never not seen her smile. I can't even picture her face without seeing her smile. She was always happy and positive. And to just look at her, you could tell that she thoroughly enjoyed life. So I am grateful that she had that - an appreciation and love of life, and so much love from her family and friends. I only hope that she did not suffer at the moment of impact, or her remaining days in the hospital. And that somehow, she was aware of how much love and support she was surrounded with before she passed. She will be missed terribly.

Rasha, smiling, at our Punk Rope party this past June-



Rasha and Josue at Michelle's 30th birthday party this past May. I loved to watch the two of them interact, and she looked so beautiful this night-



last October at our friend Joe's birthday party (me, Rasha, Josue, Michelle)-



It might be a little while before I blog again - I need time to think and grieve; but also time to put together a book of photos for her family and Josue. I just wanted to explain my absence to you all.

RIP, Rasha. You were taken from us far too soon.