Rest Peacefully, My Friend

Today I found out some heartbreaking news:

Danielle, a friend of mine from high school, whom I had known since childhood, passed away late last night. Danielle had suffered from a heart condition since birth, and although I remember her having surgery when we were children, the past couple of years she seemed to be doing great. According to the friend who gave me the news, she was having issues with her heart again and had gone in for surgery...and didn't make it.

Danielle and I were not "best" friends, but we were pretty close. We took ballet together as children, and in high school we were close because of our involvement in theatre. Danielle played my best friend when I played Kim MacAfee in "Bye Bye Birdie" our senior year. She and I also had many classes together, including an independent study senior year of high school--it was just me and her and our drama teacher! We always had such a fun time.

Danielle was talented, beautiful, and smart. Even with her struggles with her health, she was always bright and lively and a ray of sunshine whenever she entered a room. I still have the above photo, which Danielle framed and gave to me for graduation in 2006, sitting on my dresser. And here is one from backstage at a dance recital when we were little (she is on the far right in the front and I am directly behind her):

I am not a super religious person, but I do believe in God, and I believe Danielle is with him right now, and that she is at peace.