Tuesday, May 03, 2011

To My Sisters.

Being in a Greek organization isn't everything.  Some people love it a too much, and some people hate it.  I have been right in between.  Being in a sorority was a great decision for me because I only knew 2 people at Ole Miss when I came here.  I met more people than I ever would have had I not joined a sorority.  It is not "paying to make friends."  It is a venue through which to make the best friends of your life.

Dear Sisters,
 I didn't get to say everything I wanted to last night.  I was nervous, just like on bid day.  I only knew one person in our pledge class.  Now I know all of you.

How would I have ever gotten through the last four years without y'all?  You held my hand when I was sad, and made me laugh when I thought I would never laugh again.  How have we managed to go from strangers to best friends in a few short years?  I didn't know anyone and now I know everyone.  How did that happen so quickly and successfully?

I think the most fun I've ever had was Sophomore year living in the dorm with all of you.  We definitely made the best out of that building we had to live in.  I will always remember how wonderfully sweet everyone was to me when I was laid up in bed with mono.  I loved having so many of you come into my room to talk and laugh and cry with me for hours.  Nothing will ever compare to that year.  We had so much fun.

The summer after Sophomore year was as good as it gets.  We had no fear, as we do now.  We were still so young and hopeful, but didn't really know it.  To us, life was going out at night and laying by the pool by day.  What a nice time that was.  We were so full of life.

When Susan died, we all felt the same heartbreak.  It was amazing how such a huge group could all feel the same way.  Exactly the same way.  None of us could breathe or eat or sleep or think.  We held on to each other for dear life.  I might have lost my mind if I hadn't been around you lovely girls for one of the darkest times in my life.  We pulled each other up when we felt we couldn't go on.  Instead of criticizing each other for the way that we coped, we shared an unspoken understanding.  The pain in our eyes was constant, and could be seen from one girl to another, to another.  By the end of last year, Junior year, we picked ourselves up and began to start our lives over.

One of the greatest things about us is that we support one another.  I support each and every one of you. I truly hope that you will find happiness in your life.  I hope you will be successful in every facet of your life.  I pray that none of us will face another crippling loss as we have before, but we all know that there will be more loss and sadness in the world.  I hope you are happy more than you are sad.  I hope one day we can all think and talk about Susan without crying.  I hope you will all have big beautiful families that make you proud.  I hope you find love and hold on tight.

We all try to live by Susan's example daily- I know this.  Sometimes we lose sight of what is important, especially during this confusing time in our lives.  Let's remember one another, what we have been through, and what we love about one another.  Let us not forget all the laughter that we have shared.  I hardly can remember what we have laughed about these years, but I do remember my muscles aching from smiling and laughing so hard.  What a wonderful feeling.

At the end of these perfect four years, I am thankful that God put each of us in the same sorority at the same time.  Susan was the angel that brought us together, I am sure of that.  She and God, together, brought us to one another.  I am thankful every day that I have been so blessed to get to know each and every one of you, and your individually special talents.  We are each put on this Earth to do something amazing.  Though I haven't figured out my exact purpose yet, many of you have.  I know you will make the world a better place, as you already have.  My world thanks you and cherishes your loving light.

I love you.