I was really saddened to learn of the news that a high school classmate of mine passed recently. My prayers go out to the family and friends of Valerie Brown Cosper.
I was very quiet and shy in high school, and didn't have many friends. But I observed a lot of people. I didn't really know Valerie, but I do remember my impression of her. My first memory is of her being tall, yet very graceful. She had a beautiful smile and eyes. She wasn't a loud person and never seemed to make waves or cause trouble. I remember a gentleness and kindness about her. Overall, the word SMART jumps out at me when thinking of her.
It's been 31 years since graduating from the McDonogh #35 Senior High School in New Orleans. Yet with the wonders of technology and social networks such as Facebook, our Class of 1979 have reconnected. Yet, it feels as though it was only yesterday that we graduated on that hot May afternoon at the Municipal Auditorium. However, we have all grown and succeeded in so many ways during that time.
Although I didn't really know Valerie, she is still one of us. I am sure that her death has touched each one of my classmates in virtually the same way. Valerie is one of us. She may not be our biological family, but her death hits home because, yes, she's one of us.
I don't know the details of her passing, and I don't need to, but this does make one think and say, "it could've been me". It makes me think about my own life and of course my mortality. It makes me think about my family and the fact that I love them so much and would not want to leave them. I know the pain of losing Mama.
Again, my prayers goes out to Valerie's family.
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