Rach's Journal

Apologies for disappearing over the weekend....we have had a hard couple of days, well, I have, more to the point.

It was one week yesterday since Rachel left us...I can't believe how fast time just moves on. I miss her so much it's a physical ache, and I just can't seem to motivate myself to do anything.

Last night Tanika and I curled up on Rachel's bed, and watched an old home movie of the two of them when Rachel was 5 and Tanika was 2. We were both in floods of tears - both happy and sad - watching the two of them together, Rachel trying to get nappy-wearing Tanika to climb up the slippery slide in the backyard - not up the ladder, but from the bottom of the slide, up!

Tanika was so determined, toddeling on her chubby little legs, but as much as she tried she would end up on her nappy covered bottom. Rachel was always there to pick her up, plonk her back on the end of the slide, and exclaim "Come on, Niknik - you can do it!"

It was so precious...even if we did have to drag them away in the end, before someone broke their neck!

To conclude, this is the tribute written and spoken by Rachel's friend Melissa. She and Rach started dance classes together when they were barely three years old, and were still taking classes together aged 18, when Rachel was diagnosed.

***

"One summers day, back in 1990, two chubby little three year olds started dancing classes together. I bet neither expected to still be performing together almost 16 years on.

Back in those carefree days as three year old 'prima ballerinas' with the world at our feet, we didn't know the word 'cancer' and we didn't understand the concept of death...and as we grew older, we would certainly never have expected that Rachel's journey would take her down this path, and her life come to an end far too soon.

Rachel and I grew up together, enveloped by the dancing world - we lived and breathed dance, and that was the way we loved it. Over the years we have shared so many high's and low's - adrenelin pumping performances, exams, scooping the pool at competitions, not doing so well in competitions, teaching, injuries, awards, scholarships...and the ultimate test of faith and courage for Rachel, her cancer.

I remember when I first found out about her illness, and her take on it. Her questions weren't 'so what medications will I have to take?' or 'what are my chances?' Her number one concern was 'WHEN will I be able to DANCE again????' I don't think anyone ever counted on her next performance being with the angels in Heaven.

Rachel was the most beautiful person you could ever meet. Besides physical beauty and grace, she had strength of character and a personality to match. If ever any of the younger students at dancing needed help of instruction, rachel was never far away - she was always eager to lend a hand. Everyone loved her, especially the younger children - they looked up to her and I know most of them wanted to be just like her!

But the same admiration for Rachel was held not only by the younger students, but by everyone who ever had the extreme fortune to meet her. Anyone whose life she touched will never be the same again. We are all better people for knowing her.

I thank God for having the privilige of knowing, learning and performing with Rachel for 16 years of our lives.

I hope she is saving me a spot on stage in Heaven!

I'll miss you, Rach."

***

Love Linda

(Anyone else who wants to send in 'purple pictures' - linda-marie_scully@hotmail.com We would love to see them!)