The thoughtfulness that Jill's neighbors shared, and that of my friends and family, reached beyond our sadness and our hearts were lighter, brighter as we all celebrated our girl and paid kindnesses forward. Had the event been on Taylor's Facebook feed, she would have tagged me instantly so I could see the good. Taylor would have loved the thoughts and kindnesses shared - but would have stolen the canvas Jill has created from me as soon as she could. Jill found just the right colors and the design captures everything wild and bright about our girl. When my friends began posting and using the pic of the canvas as their own profile picture, I began to cry. I am so thankful for your faithfulness - those of you who know us and those of you who are only acquaintances - I am so thankful.
That afternoon my uncle shared the "light" he and Linda, my aunt, would offer, a scholarship at OU - the Taylor Witcher - Go Light the World scholarship. I couldn't even talk. I still have no words for this. I search and stare at the blank page, my head shaking.
Twenty of Taylor's friends joined us at The Mont for dinner Thursday night. We sat in the Blue Room and smiled and laughed and spilled several glasses of water as we navigated the tight space with so many people. Coach Cale Gundy, Courtney, and a few other colleagues from the OU football office also shared time with us and brought our family an OU jersey dress with "TWITCH" scrolled across its back. Cale said I had to display it! (I asked if it came in Orange!)
Taylor Renee has the best friends. They were kind and giving and joyful. As I looked at each of friend, I could hear Tay say his/her name, tell a story, and laugh with that deep, honest joy she so often shared. Each soul present brought with it a piece of my girl, and I left with a full heart.
I miss her; her friends ache for her, and I am helpless to console them. However, she showed us great love in her twenty years and she would rail against us laying down or giving in. So we take it one day at a time, moments at a time some days, and we hold each other up. We love each other, and we chose to be to others who she was to us. And when we do, we will continue to #GoLighttheWORLD.