Reflecting on the tragic event of this past night of April 24'th, 1999, many of us are left with emotional wounds which will take time, and the help of good friends to mend. Losing Carissa is something that many of us can't understand, how a girl so full of hope and optomism could be unfairly snatched from this Earthly plain, so totally unexpectedly, seemingly in a heartbeat.     I know that Carissa was a good woman, a wonderful friend and a good listener, someone who would always be there for you when you had a problem, and lend an open ear and sincere concerns. She would help us up when we fell down, help smooth over the flusters and stife that happens throughout each of our lives.     I never knew Carissa personally, but I know these things because I have known some Carissas in my life too, those bright stars of hope and integrity that blaze bright on the edge of my personal horizon, yet somehow never seem to get close enough. And seeing this tragedy occur from my home PC on-line, I can't help but feel a sense of loss as well, as though I've lost a friend before I had the opportunity to make one. I would very much have liked to know Carissa personally, but now I'll never get that chance. Yet I urge all of you to never forget this wonderful influence in our lives, and all of the others like her who manage to keep us going every day.     My prayers are with Carissa, wherever she may be now between here and Infinity. Perhaps this tragedy has drawn us closer together, perhaps it has opened our eyes, and perhaps now we will never neglect those who are close to us. I know I've learned a valuable lesson, and never again will I make those mistakes I've made in the past.     Thank you all for taking the time to read this. There IS still good in this world, we'll all pull through this one, together, and remember... A stranger may just be a friend you've never met; if you can make a new friend... Friendship is the greatest treasure one can behold, and the only one that grows the more you give. If you see a friend hiding behind a magazine, or sitting at a bus stop, dare to reach out and make that first connection. We never know who might be waiting for us just around the bend.