A recurring theme of this blog is that time passes much too quickly. Today's post exemplifies that in a very unfortunate way:
I'm still trying to process the sad news that my cousin, Jessi, passed away today. Thirty-eight, in my view, is much too young of an age at which to pass.
One memory keeps coming to mind. It's 1985, and my parents, brother, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and I are having a get-together soon after Christmas. All of the cousins are in the playroom at my parents' house, talking and listening to music. Jessi is at the stereo, singing along with the 45 of Starship's "We Built This City." At age seven, she already has a performer's ease and confidence, one that will manifest itself years later as the singer in a band.
I hope that wherever Jessi is now, she's able to recall that memory and smile. I also hope that she's able to listen to, sing along with, and dance to any music she likes.
