Remembering Rachael
It’s been just over a year now since Rachael never returned from a camping trip in the woods with her boyfriend. It’s hard thinking about it. I never knew her extremely well, except for occasionally working with her at Camp Morice. The other big memory I have of her was a camping trip out to Grizzly Den with Andrew and Erin (which was an amazing trip for me) years ago. Mostly I feel the pain of her loss through the knowledge of how much her family must miss her. Peter, her older brother, has been a good friend from high school and afterwards. I can’t imagine the void that the loss of her presence would imprint in their lives, and every time I think of it I feel great sorrow as well.
There’s a song on the radio right now that Josee linked to in remembrance of Rachael a couple weeks back, and it constantly reminds me of her and plays in my head. If you’re on facebook, you’ve likely seen the link already. This year, this is my remembrance for Rachael.
If I Die Young by The Band Perry
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors
Oh, and life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain’t even gray, but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I’ve had just enough time
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I’ve had just enough time
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I’ve never known the loving of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I’ve had just enough time
So put on your best, boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I’ll sell ’em for a dollar
They’re worth so much more after I’m a goner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singing
Funny, when you’re dead how people start listening
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I’ve had just enough time
So put on your best, boys
And I’ll wear my pearls
2 Comments
Josee
It’s still so difficult to grasp that Rachael is gone. She was so full of life, dreams and passion. Life is such a delicate and precious thing.
Jenn
I still can’t understand at all the whole situation. I just can’t seem to accept that I won’t ever talk to her again. She invited me on my first hiking trip and we became friends. Her year in Germany coincided with my first year in Ireland so she visited me and I visited her. While she was here we went hiking in the west of Ireland and it was at the time when Pope JPII was dying. She ran around the B&B we were staying in and lifted as many candles as she could find while I rummaged around for rosary beads. We prayed the rosary, which was something we ended up doing nearly every time we were together as we also prayed it while hiking near PG. It was such a special time and I’m so thankful I got to know her better. I can’t shake this sadness when I think of her. Its even more upsetting when I think about Elizabeth and Peter. I am thankful that they all have such a strong faith though. That must be some comfort.