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This week....

While one of my friends recently passed away, one of my other friends just gave birth.

On Monday evening, driving home from a long weekend in San Diego, I received a text message from Stephen telling me about Shari. I couldn't believe it. I  immediately called Crystal to hear what had happened. Crystal could barely speak (over her sobbing), but she managed to tell me the jist of the story. I then text messaged Marissa and Mia (I knew they were two of her closest friends, along with Crystal) and told them how sorry I was and that I was praying for them. I called Tina and told her the bad news. She couldn't believe it. She had just seen Shari on the Wednesday before. She got off the phone with me and called her brother.

Then I drove in silence. I didn't cry, didn't talk, didn't have the radio on. I just thought of all of the great times I was lucky enough to spend with Shari Ann. I remember the "Panorama House" during BC football season a few years ago and how we had some great party days. I remember Shari going with me and a bunch of my friends (and her friends too) to Rosarito, Mexico for Spring Break. Oh man, we had some fun times down there. I remember watching her and cheering her on as she cheered for BC and Blitz. That incredible personality of hers and that smile...Everyone talks about her smile when they mention Shari's name. It was definitely her best feature.

I remember her on my birthday last year. I had invited her to La Mina (on the eastside) to celebrate with me. And funny Shari, called me from the La Mina across from BHS wondering where everyone was! I felt soooo bad. We had such a laugh about that. The last time I saw Shari, I was at her house and she remembered that she had my birthday card she was never able to give me. She looked for it in her car, but said her car was dirty, so she couldn't find it. I didn't mind, it was the thought that counted. I still spoke to her regularly on myspace and loved to read her updates. She was always so full of life.

This is a time when Shari's friends and family all must be strong. We all know that she is smiling down on us and telling us not to cry. She would want us to be celebrating her life and not dwelling on the fact that she is gone. To those of you (us) who were friends with Shari, she will be missed everyday for the rest of our lives. We all know we have a true angel above us.

 On a lighter note....

One of my closest friends, Misty Stephen, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this morning, Kylie Jade. The gorgeous girl came in at 7lbs. 8 oz. and 19 inches. I was unable to be there but I received a picture on my phone of the tiny tot.

Misty was the last person (next to me) that I'd ever thought would have a child. I remember chatting with Misty about children, when we worked together as Valet girls at the BCC. She had told me she wanted kids but wanted to adopt. Oh how some things are unexpected! I was completely blown away when she told me she was pregnant. I was a little uneasy about it, thinking that she was too, but my friend was happy, so I was happy for her. I called Sarah and we talked about it a little. In the end, all that mattered to us was that Misty was happy.

I went to her baby shower and finally was able to see her big belly. So cute! Misty looked great, healthy and happy (and ready to pop out 'lil K). She was taking advice from Megan, Renee, Eileen, Brooke and Dalia (Amanda was listening too) and soaking it all in. Cherie, Misty's mom, (coincidentally the same pronunciation as Shari, mentioned above) was incredibly excited to become a grandmother. (Side note-Misty also went to Mexico with us on Spring Break and had met Shari Ann for the first time. Misty told Shari that Cherie was her mom's name and also Misty's middle name. That made a little bond between them).

I'll always remember the time Misty got her second tattoo, (which we all thought was kind of random, ridiculous and funny) tiny footprints on her feet, in Venice Beach, years ago. I was glad to be the one filming her with a video camera and seeing her pain. (In all actuality, she was laughing because it hurt so bad. Apparently, tats on your feet hurt like hell). So, although I don't live in Bakersfield and can't see Misty and the baby all the time, I am so happy, as a friend, to know that I was with her when she got the baby footprints. To me, they are the tiny feet of Kylie Jade.

The circle of life moves us all.

Rest in peace Shari Ann Ramey and welcome to the world Kylie Jade.