Rachel Alexandra Tribute

Rachel and I met the summer we were both 18-- we were immediate friends and had the great fortune of keeping the friendship alive for nearly 25 years.. Both of us moved around a lot, and on both coasts, so this wasn't easy.. In recent years, we vacationed together when we could-- most notably Belize and Panama in 06 and 08..
It is so difficult to put in to words the type of person that Rachel was, because, while we are all unique, she was more unique than anyone I've ever met. Everyone that met her seemed immedaitely drawn to her. She could make the most mundane task actually fun and never seemed to be in a bad mood unless she had good reason (then watch out!!) John, you hit the nail on the head in describing her eyes, it was as though the whole world was put there for her enjoyment, and when you were in her company you got to share a little bit of that wonder with her. Fiercely intelligent, stunningly beautiful, and a friend to anyone who needed one-- (especially animals).
Her laugh alone could make me laugh to the point where we'd be laughing so hard she couldn't even get out what was so funny.. No one in my life has ever made me laugh like Rachel. And like Amelia said, everytime we'd see each other it was as though no time had passed at all, and we'd be laughing at things that happened 20 years ago as though they were yesterday... I don't know that I will ever miss anyone in my life as I miss Rachel, but at the same time, I am so grateful for the psitive energy she injectede into my life, that I can't help but look at my friendship with her as the most valuable gift I've ever received.. She told me once years ago that the secret to being happy in life was to just BE HAPPY-- even if you had to fake it at first, pretty soon you forget you're acting and you end up having a good time in spite of yourself, and it just becomes more and more natural... Pretty wise considering she was probably about 20 at the time.. Since her passing, I have taken some dramatic steps in my life to try and follow her example.. She enjoyed life more than anyone I've ever met, and did what she knew she needed to make herself happy- no apologies, no compromises. Once she sat down on an airplane, looked to her left, looked to her right, flashed her biggest smile and said "Sorry, no chit-chat please" Beautiful. Honest. Sincere... And how could anyone be offended with that smile and those eyes? Meanwhile, most of us would nerve have the strength to do that. She had that strength, and much more. I could go on forever, but truth is if you knew her, you know what I'm talking about. Such a BRIGHT light! the world is a little grayer without you, Rachel... but for those of us lucky enough to know you, we'll always carry a small spark of that dazzling brilliant supernova that was behind your eyes...