Thursday 22nd of May 2008 is a day that is always at the back of my mind and a day that I dread coming back around every year for the past 12 as part of me still hopes it’s all just a bad dream.
Olivia really was such a happy, sweet, caring, unbelievably witty girl who enjoyed her 14 years so much. Even though she was 2 years younger than me she was always looking out for me as that was the kind of person who she was, she was fiercely protective over her friends and made you feel so safe & loved.
On Wednesday 21st of May finishing school Liv whacked me across my head and before I could even say anything to her she had ran off down the corridor and then looked back at me shouted ‘love you’ then left, I take great comfort in that being the last time I saw her as that sums Liv up perfectly. She was constantly winding me up and making me laugh more than I ever thought possible.
To anyone who is struggling with a loss of a friend or a loved one, especially during recent times, please know, hang in there, it is possible to be happy, understand your life will change forever but it is possible to find happiness in people and in places, in your work or hobbies and in your life again. You carry that person with you every step of the way, Liv never leaves my mind sometimes it’s unbearably sad but sometimes I take great comfort in thinking of all the lovely times we had together. I have to remember how lucky I am to have someone so special and to be able to carry her with me all day.
If I have learnt one thing over the last 12 years it is to spend a little more time with the people that you care for because I know I and anyone who was lucky enough to know Olivia would give anything to go back 12 years and spend just one more moment with her.
Liv is forever alive in my memories and all of those who knew her.
Jessica Carroll
