thoughts of school picture day

shared by VJ Rabuy, her sister

I was delivering mail the other day to an elementary school, and noticed the students filed in line to have their pictures taken. It was cute... girls with fancy headbands and some boys in collared shirts.

It reminded me of my elementary school days and Cindy and I having our own pictures taken on picture day at Ardenwood Elementary School.

My sisters and I have the straightest, blackest hair (Marlo’s hair is moreso dark brown); and for most, this is quite desirable. I, on the other hand, always loved the wavy locks produced by towel dried hair that was braided and slept in overnight.

So, either reluctantly or encouragingly, Cindy agreed to braid my hair the night before picture day so I would have wavy hair in my photo, nevermind that I didn’t look that way in real life.

I believe she did this for just about every picture day, with the exception of my kindergarten picture when I had a bowl haircut. My school age picture day photos reflect yet another way I used Cindy’s many talents to my advantage.

thoughts of joining the 22nd century

shared by AR Flanagan, her sister 

I just recently became a smartphone owner. It has been 41 days now. I know, I know, I'm joining the party pretty late in the game. I have never been very tech savvy, but I have a clear memory of Cindy being rather proficient in all things electronic.

I may have mentioned in a previous entry that she was the one who aided me in creating my yahoo email account. Her test email to me read "Welcome to the 21st century."

She also owned a "clie", what many consider as the precursor to the smartphone. Anyway, several friends and family were ecstatic that I finally joined the dark side.

The day after getting my phone, I attended a family dinner for VJ's birthday. Once everyone noticed that I finally got a smartphone, I felt like it also became a "Yay! ER finally got a smartphone celebration." So much so, that I could hear Cindy's voice saying, "Welcome to the 22nd century!"

thoughts of bittersweet memories

shared by Marlo R. Beall, her sister

Over the weekend, we were in the LA area to celebrate the wedding of our cousin Angela, to her new husband Josh. The rain stayed away just long enough for us to share in the beautiful, joyful ceremony, and to dance away during the lovely, fun-filled reception.

Whenever we visit LA, I always feel a hint of sadness. I love the chance to visit dear friends and family, and we had so many great experiences while we lived there; but the sadness is there too.

Driving through West LA and on the 405 was so familiar; some of the on and off ramps on the freeway have changed, but it's still the same. We even decided to take Sepulveda for a stretch, rather than the 405. It made me miss Cindy so much.

And as we drove through the area of the freeway where her accident occurred, we said a little prayer.