Rest in Peace, Erica

Well, I knew that it was coming, but I can hardly believe that it’s real. Erica died on Thursday. I never met her in person, but I feel like she had a profound effect on me. Judging by the comments on her blog, I was not the only person who felt this way.

In her short time on this earth, Erica clearly had a profound impact on countless people, far and wide. Her warmth and caring came through in spades during all of our interactions on the phone and online. I will never forget when I set up a video chat so that she could participate in an event at school. Halfway through the evening, I hooked my laptop into the A/V system so that she was projected onto the front of the room. The spontaneous standing ovation that erupted is something that I will never forget. Here were hundreds of people who were moved to stand and cheer at the mere sight of her.

I realized, at that moment, that Erica was really and truly someone special.

Although I think I knew all along just how amazing she really was.

When Erica thought that she had her cancer beat, I sent her celebratory cookies. I wanted to send her cupcakes, but I didn’t think that they would travel well to California. I had always planned to bake a batch for her when she made it back to Boston. I think that, at some point during this hectic season, I will make some special cupcakes in her honor. It’s not much, in fact it’s not really anything, but I feel like it’s something. And, at times like this, it’s important to be able to do something.

Erica had many friends and loved ones, hundreds of people who loved her fiercely and who worked tirelessly to try and make her well and to keep her comfortable. I was just a random girl who she talked to a few times on the internet and who sent her some baked goods. And yet, I find myself feeling profoundly sad and let down about all of this. I thought that Erica could beat leukemia, I really did. And I know in my heart, as surely as I know anything else, that the world is a colder, sadder place without Erica’s presence.

Rest in peace, Erica. May your memory live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved you and in the hearts of those of us who didn’t know you, but loved you just the same.