I was just informed as of a few hours ago that a child I had taken care of since infancy, and that I tutored regularly from the moment she was able to hold a pencil in her hand, has passed away last night. She had a heart condition when she was younger and had been regularly screened by doctors with a supposed good bill of health. But, last night she fell asleep and just didn't wake back up.

A part of me finds solace that she passed away in her sleep and did not leave this world in a pained state. A part of me mourns that she never got the chance to finish reading and watching Harry Potter (we were on book 3). Hopefully in her next life, she might. But, the biggest part of me is sad and heartbroken for her family. The couple, not many years older than me, did not have any other children. My only hope is that they are able to find solace in each other and will try to have (or adopt) more children in the future.

For the time being, I can barely concentrate on anything, let alone see through copious amounts of tears. So, I don't know when everyone online will hear from me again.

- Piper