In Loving Memory of Shelly Voss

Claire

I found that old blue sweater you left in my car last October. It still smells like your shampoo, and for a second, I forgot everything that happened and thought about calling you to tell you to come pick it up. I miss our late-night drives, our stupid inside jokes that nobody else understood, and the way you always knew exactly what to say when I was having a bad day. Nothing feels normal without you here, Shell. I keep waiting to look up and see you walking through my front door. I love you forever and always.

Lucas

I walked past our old treehouse spot yesterday. It made me think about that summer we tried to build a time capsule out of an old coffee can and buried it under the roots. We were so sure we’d open it when we turned eighteen. It doesn't feel right hitting these milestones without you here to share them. You were my oldest friend, and no matter how many years pass, nobody will ever replace the spot you have in my childhood memories. Miss you, always.

Maya

I still look for you at the field every Tuesday. The whole team misses your energy, Shell. Remember when we won that rainy tournament game and we danced in the mud until our jerseys were completely ruined? That is exactly how I choose to remember you—laughing, unstoppable, and lifting everyone else up around you. You left a giant hole in our lives, but we carry you with us every single time we step onto that pitch. Rest easy, teammate.

Jordan

I keep replaying that last conversation we had on my porch right before everything changed. You were laughing about some silly movie trailer, just completely full of life. If I had known it would be the last time I’d hear your voice, I would have stayed on that porch hours longer. Thank you for being a real, true friend when it mattered most. We all miss you more than words can say down here.

Chloe

I stumbled across our chemistry lab notes from freshman year last night, and your handwriting is all over the margins where you were doodling funny caricatures of our teacher. You always knew exactly how to make the longest school days pass in a second. Thank you for always being so fiercely kind to me and for being the person who could make me smile no matter how heavy things got. The world is a lot dimmer without your light in it.