Dear Sweet Sharon

Sunny Tripathy

June 14, 2005

Most people wake up from a nightmare. But yesterday, I have awakened only to witness one - the nightmare of life without Sharon. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Sunny Tripathy, and I was, am, and always will be a good friend of Sharon Cao. I apologize ahead of time, if I say Spring instead of Sharon, or vice-versa, forgive me, but those two names are inseparable and interchangeable. I’ve known Sharon for a while now, but it only took a minute for her to waltz into my heart. But I’m not going to complain that she had to leave, but instead I will thank her for coming into my life and bringing me so much joy. I always looked up to Sharon, and now even though I have look a little higher, she’s still there. I know we are silent, feeling the enormous void that is left in Sharon’s absence. The ground has slipped away from under our feet, and we are trying, somehow to sit in this empty space that has been left behind. Just close your eyes in silence and picture her. Smiling, laughing, all your sweet memories... Join me in a moment of silence for the wonderful Sharon Cao…SILENCE…now smile if you believe her presence had made this world a better place. Every little thing Sharon did, and said is embossed in my heart. I remember Spring and Sharon teaching me Indian dance. And as she said, all you got to do is screw a light bulb, and pet a dog. Except, I could never do it right, and I looked like I was screwing a dog, and petting a light bulb. I remember the times, we made movies, and horror movies, and French movies, and she was always a great actress. Her twinkling eyes, and joyous spirit will forever be in my thoughts. And every time, I saw her smiling, her gorgeous smile, I knew that she was an angel. But we need to stop lamenting her death, and instead we need to celebrate her life. Cherish old memories, and cherish her every thought. Don’t mourn, for she is smiling down at us. Sharon was so intelligent, and yet she wasn’t the slightest bit arrogant. She has not gone anywhere. I realized I don’t feel her absence as much, because she’s in my heart, regardless if she’s here physically or not. I pray her soul will be in bliss forever, though I always feel her presence. I can hear her talking… I can see her dancing. And when someone is this close, they can never leave you. Above all I give thanks for the life of a girl, I proudly proclaim my sister, the unique, the beautiful, the extraordinary and irreplaceable Sharon Cao whose beauty, both internal and external, will never be extinguished from our hearts.

Thank you. Wah ai ni (我爱你, I love you) Sharon! – Sunny Tripathy