Dearest Elle, I remember you from literal infancy as you were probably my closest friend through ages 3-11 (& I felt at ease with you from our first conversation — the contents of which I cannot recall, though I’m confident it can’t have been too profound [likely, “Hi, what’s your name? I like your backpack. It looks like mine. Wanna be friends?” from a waddling 3-year-old…] — but I can see it clear as day, being stood at the front of the Infants’ building); hearing this news overwhelmed me as you never forget a formative bond like that, being connected as far as little kids can be. Even then you had a magnificent spark for life, and when I think about it such a tangible purity at that age isn’t greatly common! If anybody was going to be the one to forefront the Mischievous Train, it was you. If there was any gate or fence we weren’t allowed to go through, you were the first to attempt the crawl. And my goodness, did we all love it! Back then even through my much more insular perspective I could see you cared about others; I remember you being there to console me when I felt sad, and I truly appreciated it. Even though latterly we’d lost contact, albeit you were only down the road, I’d thought about you many times. Life is fleeting — we can so easily take for granted the connections we make. Alas, oftentimes it’s the small moments we cherish, and I have many to ponder. I have to reiterate how devastatingly shocking & tremendously heartbreaking this news is. I liken myself to a mixed bag of guilt, nostalgia and fondness. Condolences to the whole family.

R.I.P

Elle not only were you my best friend you were like a sister to me, for two best friends we have been through so much together and I’m truly grateful. You never failed to make everyone smile even on the worst of days. I will forever have a reason to smile having met such an amazing person like you. You will forever be loved and missed