The night of Oct. 29, 2010, I was hanging out at my grandma?s house, talking about my cousin Gabrielle?s (Gabby) birthday dinner that happened the previous week. Since I had not wished her a happy birthday yet, I was thinking that I should give her a late birthday call.

My grandma was so excited because she was learning how to text, and had sent Gabby a birthday text, to which Gabby had replied, saying, ?Aww thank you, I love you very very much.? Little did we know that would be the last time we would see her lovely words.

Late morning, Oct. 30, I was making cookies and talking on the phone, when all of a sudden I heard the garage door open, and my dad rushed to me in tears.

As he explained to me that my cousin had died in a car accident while on her way back from San Francisco, my heart instantly dropped to my stomach with utter disbelief and sadness.

I could not believe and still cannot believe that something so tragic could happen to such an amazing and lively human being who had her whole life ahead of her.

My family went to my uncle?s, where the house was filled with many loved ones and many tears. I comforted my cousin, Brianna, every day and night, which drew us closer through this hard circumstance.

As the funeral finally arrived, I stayed strong the whole week by denying the loss of my cousin because it was so unreal. When the day of the funeral arrived, I broke down but was honored to be the only member of the Ellis family to get up and speak about great memories we shared growing up, and our past summer in Santa Cruz.

Now, with her 21st birthday and the one-year anniversary of her passing, it is starting to seem more real, but I know she is with me all the time in my heart.

Even though I have held the regret for not telling her happy birthday last year, this year I let go of a birthday balloon with a personal note on it so she knows that I did remember and will never forget telling her again.

I have learned so many things from her. She taught me to live my life to the fullest and just love everyone no matter what. She was the person I always went to her for advice and told her what was new in my life.

Gabby was beautiful from the inside and out. I looked up to her so much and learned various lessons from her. She taught me to laugh when I am sad because things could be worse and to dance in the rain and jump in big puddles because who knows if that is your last chance seeing the rain.

She also taught me to speak my mind and enjoy what I love doing because the ones you love and accept you will stick around. The main point is to appreciate every little thing in life because everything that happens in life is what makes lifelong memories.

Whenever I start to miss my cousin, I think about her laugh, her comforting hugs, and always seeing her big smile. She really had a beautiful life and I am extremely blessed to call her my cousin.

For more opinions, read the Oct. 18 article, Senior finds significance in TWLOHA day.

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