"death leaves a heartache no one can heal" - Rest in Peace Yeardley

To say this week has been emotional is an understatement. The week started off with a lot of endings where I made the decision to go my separate ways from a few people in my life. I thought that took it's toll on me emotionally and then this happened: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/03/AR2010050304574.html

I'm not really sure how one can put into words the overwhelming sadness and disbelief that comes when you hear that a gorgeous young woman who was so full of beauty, life, and incredible talent loses her life so tragically. Yesterday, as many of you might have heard, Yeardley Love, a beautiful 22 year old 4th year lacrosse player at University of Virginia was killed. While I did not know her personally, a good friend of mine went to high school with her and has two little sisters that went to high school with her and played lacrosse with her. One of my friends sisters was one of Yeardleys best friends and the other was a lacrosse teammate of hers at UVA who described Yeardley as her "big sister." It hitting so close to home and affecting those that I know and love shook me up and left me numb for the rest of the day.

I first heard about this incident when someone on Twitter mentioned having the UVA Womens Lacrosse Team in their prayers. Immediately I freaked out and started googling, thinking something had happened to the entire team or to my friends little sister. I had known and heard of Yeardley, and started to come across her name in the articles that came up. I was in such disbelief thinking "this can't be right" and then disbelief turned to overwhelming sadness when I read that she had been murdered. Today even more details are coming out that are absolutely horrifying.

I could hardly sleep last night thinking about her family, knowing that their precious angel has been taken from them far too soon. I cannot even begin to fathom what went through their minds after receiving a phone call that she was dead...and not only that, but murdered. I had to stop myself from thinking about what went through their minds as they took that trip to Charlottesville from Baltimore because the sadness is debilitating. The senselessness and horror of it all.

I also learned that Yeardley lost her father to cancer in high school. Yeardley's mother had to handle the news of losing a child by herself. Pain no parent should ever bear. The family has dealt with so much loss. I pray for their strength. My entire heart goes out to them and as I'm writing this I can't help but cry. Not only does my heart go out to the Love family, the NDP, Landon, and UVA Lacrosse community, but the Hughley family as well. A family who woke up yesterday and heard that their son was accused of murder. Parents think their children are safe at school and believe that they have raised their children to be the best that they can be, providing amazing opportunities and first class educations to them all the while being raised by great families, and then tragedies like this hit and we wonder where it could have gone wrong.

Today again, I still feel numb thinking about how two young, beautiful, extremely talented people who were graduating in a few short weeks and had their entire lives ahead of them had their lives end like this. They would be attending the NCAAs tournament in a few weeks, a lacrosse players dream. It's just hard for me to wrap my head around. It will never make any sense.

Rest in Peace, Yeardley Love. You are loved and missed by so many.

Yesterday smacked me awake and made me realize what truly is important. I know to let those I love dearly know how much they really mean to me and how blessed I am to have them in my life. I'll be sure to hug my loved ones a little tighter and for a little longer now.