<p>My friend, Madeline passed away last night at 17 years old. It started off as a Kidney infection and got worse and worse. It's pretty pathetic that I'm posting this on CC, but I have gotten a lot of great advice from some of you, and the friends who I can actually touch, can't really do much to calm my heart. This has never happened before to anyone I knew and I have no idea how to handle the situation. I don't know what to say to her mom, to her family, or to kids in school. I don't know whether or not to mention it in my graduation speech. Would that be appropriate?
I just really miss her and I know that no amount of advice will make it feel better, but it might help a little.
~Makeda</p>
<p>It would be very appropriate (and highly advised) to ask the audience to take a moment of silence in her honor, or to say a few words about how much she meant to you. Her family will find it touching.</p>
<p>You seem to be handling it very well, but it still might be a good idea to go see the school counselor just to talk everything out. Was she very close?</p>
<p>That is awful, I'm so sorry.</p>
<p>Yes, talk to somebody about it. You should honor her in your graduation speech. If you are religious at all than it might be helpful to know that she is going to a better place and any earthly suffering she may have had is over. I know what you are going through and I know that nothing anybody says will make it feel better. Please though, talk to somebody. Even a good friend or a family member because you need to let your emotions out to be able to heal. </p>
<p>Blessed be you and your friend. I will pray for her.</p>
<p>Makie,
I am so sorry for your loss. Just hug her mom and family, it's okay for you to cry and share your emotions in front of them. The same with your friends. It might be nice to include something in your graduation speech...did your friend have a favorite poem, song, quote or saying that might be relevant to the day? Do you have any letters that she wrote to you that might have something inspiring to share? Check your yearbook? God bless you honey...you are in my prayers.</p>
<p>I am so sorry.
I really feel for you.</p>
<p>Graduation speech? Are you valedictorian? It's appropriate but see if you can coordinate it with the person speaking before you (ie. if the principal talks before you and has a moment of silence, another one might not be the best idea). If it were me, I'd comfort her family to the best of my abilities, maybe make a nice photo album of photos of you and friend (if you were close) or simply bring baked goods. </p>
<p>Sorry about your loss. Getting over it will definitely be hard, especially if Madeline was a good friend. This sort of thing makes you realize man's vulnerability and could really get you down for a while. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to cope with it; at some point you'll have to accept her passing and simply do your best to honor her memory. </p>
<p>Best wishes.</p>
<p>-The Wishing Coot66</p>
<p>just wanted to say sorry and I understand. one of my best friends passed away when she was 17 (this was 2 years ago) and I know how awful that is. God Bless</p>
<p>im really sorry :( may she rest in peace and be in a happier place.</p>
<p>DEFINETELY mention her in your graduation speech</p>
<p>I am so sorry.. I definetely understand how you feel my friend passed away last month, but I agree with bannana_girl DEFINETELY mention her in your graduation speech!!..God Bless</p>
<p>:(
My brother passed away almost a year ago, and it's definitely a terrible thing that stays with you forever. With that said, everyone handles death very differently. Do what you need to do.
sucks</p>
<p>I'm saddened for your loss.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your advice and your prayers. We were very close friends and I am just so thankful that she took my phone call this past saturday. She didn't want anyone to see her since she was in bad shape. Bloated and hurting, so I'm just thankful that I got to hear her voice. I am senior class president and I would love to mention her in my speech. I just got home from her mom's house and she is so funny and she has a great sense of humor even through all of this. She is truly a GREAT woman and a great mommy. I'm so sorry for all of you who have lost loved ones and thank you again for the support.</p>
<p>We held a candle light vigil last night for Madeline. It went better than I expected because only 4 of us put it together in like one day.And a lot of people showed up to tell funny stories. Afterwards her mom goes "you all make me want to ground her!". It was great. Tonight is the viewing so wish me luck and sanity.</p>
<p>I am so sorry, :(</p>
<p>That sucks. 6 of my classmates died from various illnesses and accidents in our school.</p>
<p>Coming from a school with over 6,000 kids we experience a lot of accidents and death. You grow a thick skin and, as sad as it sounds, after a while it doesn't phase you. Then when it happens to somebody you really care about, all of that thick skin gets shattered away. </p>
<p>Again, Goddess bless you and your friend.</p>
<p>omg thats so heartbreaking
id def mention her in ur speech
people handle these situations differently and if u feel u need to express ur feelings this way, then go for it because it will make u feel better
my thoughts and prayers go out to u</p>
<p>If you do have a graduation speech, then mention her. Two close friends died at such a young age too, both 15, approximately the same year. But they're from different schools. The school already had a moment of silence the day after I heard, and you should gather everyone close to her and go to a guidance counselor to just talk about the memories.</p>
<p>yes u should ask for a moment of silence in your speech. i can honestly say i know how you feel. on august 31, 2006, my birthday, one of my friends died on his way to school in a car accident. and it was awful. the only thing you can really say to her family is that you are very sorry for their lose. i know you probably want to do more, but this would probably mean the most. and let them know that if there is anything at all you can do u'd be happy too.</p>