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For those of you expecting this to be one of my usual, lighthearted journal entries, read no further.

On Wednesday, one of my peers died. She had been hospitalized for a short time, and from what I've heard it was pneumonia. But that's not the point.
Today we held a little ceremony in memory of Shelly. It was at the same time the most inspiring and the most depressing thing I've ever seen. I didn't even know this girl, though I've seen her around in the halls plenty of times. Most of the students at my school didn't know her, actually. But everyone got together and supported her friends. We released pink baloons with notes attached- pink was her favorite color- and I swear, it was like a scene from the end of a movie. Bright baloons against perfect sky...
It was sad, no question. Incredibly so. Her friends were telling stories, and often they had to hand the mike off because they started crying. Today I saw people crying who I didn't know could cry at all and it was inspiring. I've never seen a community come together like that, never ever.
I believe that even in this horrible tragedy, there is hope. Because I have seen people shed a tear for one they never met, and I have heard a greiving person plead for friendship. I didn't know Shelly. Now I never will. I wish I had, more than you can imagine. So, all my love and support to her friends and family.
And one simple request of the rest of you:
Be good to one another. Befriend people who are left out, include everyone. There are people who are absoloute gems, who you might never get to know because you hold back. Step outside your comfort zone, and make a difference in somebody's life.

And remember.