Happy Birthday Maura Cassiana DeSouza

MAURA CASSIANA DESOUZA

June 23 1986 to May 19 2009

Maura would have been 25 years old today. But time is relative, so I will not focus on that. Usually my words are laced with sadness, even when trying to writer her birthday post. I admit, I suck at being happy when it’s the birthday of a friend who died. But I want to try. I want to try to find the ray of sunshine instead of tears of rain.

In fact, in this photo of her, there is sunshine playing in her beautiful blond hair. That is how I remember her. I remember her shining. Her smiling. Her dancing. She knew how to move her hips. She’s Brazilian. I couldn’t expect anything less. Maura was and is a pure ray of sunshine. A life giver, a mood lifter, a sweet, wonderful woman.

Happy Birthday Maura. Not only was it an honor knowing you but it was PURE, ESTATIC, JOY. You were always so full of energy. Where ever you are, however you exist now, I’m sure birthdays are the least of things. But its a day set aside for me to reflect on your life and how you enhanced mine. Lydia said you smiled until the very end. To have the strength to be joyful and graceful, even in the end, Maura, you are more woman that I could ever be. You teach me so much.

I saw a sunflower the other day. The only thing to come to mind was your sweet, endearing smile. Also Maura, I found that even after writing this, I still needed a little pick me up. Its always Dr. Seuss that puts it into perspective for me.