This year, our colorguard will be marching without one of our girls. Courtney Anne Rice was one of the most wonderful friends I have ever had. It is often said that people are one in a million, but it was so true for her! Courtney and I had been friends for a long time before high school. It all started in 3rd grade. Even then she just had this personality, her laugh and smile. It was contagious.
Our director told us that it was ok for us to be selfish with our memories of Courtney, but I really just want to share some with everyone, so that those who didn't get a chance to know her will see how wonderful she was and how truly special our "little song bird" was.
From the time we met, Courtney and I had many memories.In third grade, there were all of the performances we had to do...line dances and such for the PTA. Then of course there were the media helpers and story telling we did in the library. In 5th grade we were patrols, in chorus, on the drill team and many other things that only meant anything to us (like the science fair she beat me in!). Of course, as the years went on we had more memories to make...our 6th grade plays, 7th grade chorus recitals (when she was the youngest soloist in the Christmas performance), and our 8th grade tribute to Mrs. Knighton with "Wind Beneath My Wings" and the basket full of bread and Spam (Courtney's idea, of course!). The came colorguard and a field of memories. First, we were just two gunkies, then we were weapons in our "Don't Speak" A guard show. Then there were all of the chorus performances we had to do that year, both of us singing 1st soprano, including the wonderful state trip we got to take to Miami. The next year we were vets on the weapon lines (including her wonderful near fiasco in Atlanta on the icy field) and rifles in the parades. Then there was our last A guard season with "Lie in Our Graves" as we were both captains. Our sophomore year we were also both in the women's ensemble Imagination, singing 1st soprano. This past year, she was my captain. The rifle line rocked, thanks to her insistance on us being perfect. We marched in the Governor's Inagural Parade and had so many fun times. The last winter season we got to spend together was truly our best. Our "Somebody" show was so perfect for a time no one knew would come so soon.
On May 15th, we had our annual band banquet, a time that we found out who would hold which position on the field this year. She was announced as rifle captain with Deja, and I was announced as sabre captain. We were going to be weapon co-captains. Three of the original class of 2000, four year members would have been weapons captains. Our fourth remaining four year member, Amanda, would also be a captain, our overall captain. That next day she was feeling ill, but still went to the annual "Puttin' on the Ritz" festival to sing. On May 17th, our beautiful songbird was called back up to heaven.
Courtney was a wonderful person and I wish we all could have had more time with her. I know I will always cherish the nine years I got to spend with her. Everytime I hear the chorus sing songs or hear Fascination sing "Oh, Holy Night" with another soprano voice besides her's...I know I'll cry, but I'll be able to take comfort it the fact that one day I'll see her again, and hear her wonderful voice.
In Loving Memory of Courtney Anne Rice
July 1, 1982- May 17, 1999
Rifle Captain 1998-2000
Friend Forever
I Am With You Always
To those I love and those that love me.
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess,
How much you gave me in hapiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled on alone.
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
For now I am happy with my Jesus Lord,
Forever happy to be with God.
The Rose Picked Too Soon
He heard the news,
One clear spring night.
She was sick, hurting,
And filled with fright.
Desperately, she clung to life,
The small green line beeped away
The moments with her best friend,
Although she wanted to,
She knew she couldn't stay.
He walked silently through the halls
Knowing the delicate flower,
Still only a bud,
Sat in his car that final hour.
He left the girls,
Knowing she felt so bad,
But when he got to the front desk,
They simply said "Call her mom and dad."
Frantically he drove home,
To quickly make that call,
He knew what might be coming,
But what he heard made him fall.
The rose sat there, untouched
On the counter by the phone,
As he sat around the table with his friends,
Knowing she had already gone home.
One by one, they passed by,
By the cloth of silky white,
To bring to her one single rose,
Never again to capture her last night.
The final rose was lain,
With such care upon the rest,
As a single clear tear drop,
Fell upon his heaving cheast.
That last rose was the same one,
He would have brought to her that night,
To let her know he loved her,
And help to ease her fright.
Still only slightly opened,
Deep as red could be,
Just as beautiful as his rose,
Whom never again would he see.
As he spoke to all who'd gathered,
His voice began to shake,
As he told them of the story,
Which caused his heart to break.
Her little body couldn't beat it,
Her life just simply froze.
She would never be able to bloom,
Just like the director's single rose.
He knew one day he'd see her,
Somewhere beyond the moon,
Until then, her friends knew she'd watch them from above.
Their rose who was picked too soon.
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