Just Try to Picture Perfect
Just try to picture perfect.
Perfect, is the innocence of Storm's laugh when Marissa chases her. It's the way Marissa always walks out the doors at school, with Storm no more than six inches away. Perfect is the carefree way the two of them always play. Never, is there a fight, a harsh word, or a truly angered touch. Perfect is the way Storm and Marissa are nearly twins, yet exact opposites, because perfection does not contradict, but always complement. Perfect, are the school field trips, with memories of broken down busses, Indians without loin cloths, shared sack lunches and unending laughter.
Perfect is sunlight on golden, freshly shortened hair. Perfect is the reason, the selfless heart, behind why the sun-kissed hair is shorter. Perfect, is the sound of Marissa's voice when she calls and asks, "Is Storm there?" Perfect is the way Marissa plays with Cameron under her favorite blanket every time she comes over. Perfect, is the loving nature that cares for not only her best friend, but her best friend's little sister Kacy, too. Caring enough to come to three birthday parties for three sisters in one year is perfect.
Perfect, is being right there with a friend who is not feeling well. Perfect is challenging each other to always do the best she can, and being happy if the other one does better. Perfect is always making the right choices together, no matter what anyone else pushes you to do. Perfect, is knowing that someone loves you enough, to always be your best friend. Perfect is holding your best friend's hand through the hardest things in life. Perfect is the way Marissa always, still, refuses to say good-bye to Storm. Perfect, is the innocence of friendship, for seven-year-old best friends, that extends beyond life itself.
To Marissa and Storm, thank you for showing me what perfect really is.
(I wrote this when I couldn't sleep in the early morning hours of August 9, 2007; just two days after Storm's best friend Marissa Norris died unexpectedly from an undecided illness. Marissa and Storm were best friends from the second their eyes met and nothing in life was supposed to tear them away from each other. Marissa was giving, thoughtful and beautiful in life and continued to give of herself even after her death. A couple months before she got sick, she cut her bottom-length hair up to her chin and donated her hair to make wigs for children with cancer through the Locks of Love program. Even after her death, Marissa's organs were sent to save several different people suffering from life-threatening diseases, including an infant in the same hospital Marissa was in. We all miss "Rissy's Peanut Butter Cup" very much. We love her dearly and pray for this particular angel in Heaven everyday. )