She went everywhere with her crazy hair, cigarettes, and cell phone. She would tell you how it was, no matter what, good or bad. Something I am trying to become better at.
She passed away on November 18th, 2007. She was only 22.
We were all together that night. I saw her mere hours before her passing. We were at our sorority semi-formal dance and I went home early because I was driving an hour and a half home the next morning for a meeting about a two week trip to Guatemala to volunteer at an orphanage. My phone rang 27 times that night before I picked up the phone. Since I lived with 3 of my sisters and 4 lived next door [including Rissa] I assumed they were calling for a ride home. When I realized how many missed calls I had, I knew something had to be wrong. When I finally answered, all I heard was Rissa & Corinne were in an accident. We had no further information besides that we needed to get to ISJ Hospital as soon as possible. Their two roommates, Ellen & Statz were home sleeping and since there were next door I was asked to go wake them up. A friend came to pick us up and bring us all to the hospital. I remember all all 6 of us packing into his compact car crying and not knowing what to expect.
I prayed they had been responsible and not gotten behind the wheel of a car - which was true. They were walking and had gotten lost. A friend was going to pick them up when they were struck by a 17 year old driver.
When we arrived at the hospital we were escorted by police officers into a side room to the right side of the hospital. I knew it was bad when we were brought to a specific room. We got there right as they were telling everyone that Corinne was in critical condition. I remember them telling us how serious Corinne's injuries were and thinking okay, so they are giving us the worst news first. Finally, I remember asking, "What about Riss?" The employee looked at another who gave the nod saying go ahead. I had no idea what was coming. All I heard was, "Rissa didn't make it." I remember dropping to my knees and sobbing. My life changed that day - not for the better, not for the worse, just changed.
The chaplain for the university came to the hospital and told my roommate Amber, her boyfriend Danny, & myself that going to the accident site may give us closure. Being completely naive, I went with. I wish every day I would have waited. The accident site was not cleaned up and I will never forget what I saw that morning. For all of your sakes, I will not go into details besides saying it was graphic.
The first couple of weeks after the accident are a complete blur. I would lock myself in my room for hours, sometimes days. I have never been in a darker place.
I failed to mention earlier that Rissa and I always had a weird relationship when it came to guys. We would totally encourage each other to go for the best, but both had a thing for a guy who sucked.
On November 30, 2007 I went on my first date with Kyle. Within 3 weeks we both knew we would spend the rest of our lives together. Although we are still not married - or engaged for that matter - there is no doubt in my mind we will be together forever. I could not be happier. And there is also no doubt in my mind that Rissa set that up. She knew I needed someone strong to help me through her passing and be a person to lean on for the rest of my life.
Nearly 4 years after the accident Gamma Phi Beta put on the Inaugural Run for Rissa 5k. Although I got back surgery a week prior to the 5k, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. The whole being pushed in a wheel chair was not how I had planned to participate, but was memorable none-the-less. Chelsea was a trooper pushing me in the wheel chair - and avoiding 'paparazzi'. By paparazzi I mean anyone who had a camera. I refused to have any photos in the chair! I was so proud to be a part of such an amazing day. Rissa would have loved everyone gathered together for her. She loved the attention. She would have laughed her a$$ off though that it was a 5k when she HATED running [I mean, she was a smoker!] Over $1500 was raised for the scholarship fund that was named in her honor. It was freezing cold and raining, I should have been in my UGGs - typical Rissa fashion! Here is a picture of me and some of the gals at the 5k:
Well that turned out to be much more long winded that expected, but very therapeutic!
EMH
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