Ayla Pezzino thought she had it all. A successful career as a marketing executive in New York City, a new man by her side, and a fresh start after the heartbreak that shattered her world six years ago. But when she receives the devastating news that...
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"Hello," I say and swallow hard. The air is thick and hot in the church, a contrast from the New York air four days ago when I received that call. But it's just like when we were kids. Twenty-something years later and Holy Cross still hasn't invested in any sort of air conditioning.
"Looking around, I see a lot of familiar faces in this room, but if you don't know me, my name is Ayla. Sage and I have been best friends, but honestly, more like sisters since the third grade, almost 20 years," I pause for a moment, remembering our childhood together and looking down at the paper, trying to find my place. This is so much harder than I could have ever imagined, but her parents chose me to do this. I have to push on.
"Today we gather not only to mourn the loss of a cherished friend but to celebrate a life that intertwined so seamlessly with all of ours. A life that became an inseparable part of our own. We stand here to pay homage to a soul whose journey was so deeply intertwined with ours that their absence leaves an irreplaceable void." I took another deep breath.
"Sage and I had all of our firsts together. First talent show performance, first time getting grounded -- which was the only time we weren't together growing up." I let out short lived, humorless laugh. "Our first homecoming dances, our first dates.We went to prom together. We worked our first job through high school together. She was my college roommate" With each word, my chest became heavier and tears formed in my eyes. "We were truly inseparable."
"To have known someone from the days of childhood and to have continued that bond through the rollercoaster of life is a privilege granted to few. My- our friend was not just a companion; Sage was the best sister, the best daughter, the confidant of our dreams, and a beacon of light to anyone who knew her. Through every joy and every sorrow, Sage was a constant, offering anyone and everyone unwavering support, and a testament to the enduring power of friendship and humanity." I glance over the podium to see a large picture of Sage next to her white glass urn. Sage looked like a redheaded disney princess in that picture. She was standing on a balcony, the sunsetting in the background and her long red hair that framed her face perfectly was blowing in wind. Her cheeks were rosy and pink like the skies behind her. Her blue eyes sparkled like the most perfect ocean. Like her hair, her long, pink dress that was covered in toole floated as she twirled her dress. I took this picture of her in Aruba last year when we celebrated her parents vow renewal. The urn has lavender accents. Lavender was her favorite color. It was also her favorite sent, her favorite flavor in her coffee, tea, lemonade. She loved all things lavender. I dab the tears away with a bunched of tissue before they can fall from my eyes and continue with the speech.
"Her presence was a tapestry woven with shared adventures, inside jokes, and unspoken understanding. She was the keeper of secrets and the catalyst for countless moments of laughter. Her empathy knew no bounds, and her love for us was a pillar upon which we built our lives." My hands shook as I turned the page of loose leaf paper that I penned my speech on.
