The Book of Nina
(for her parents and Team Nina)
Her last chapter finished too soon
Take a look at her book
Pages of stories, of friendships
Several paintings: Cerulean, Manganese
All shades of blue
White for the waves capping
The sea, the surf, her board,
and suddenly our own feet bare,
warmed by sunned sand
Turn the page and bubbles stream out
When they rise and pop,
her laughter rings out again and again
More and more art…
One page, a pool table
Look closely as the balls roll around
and pocket themselves at the hand of
the pool shark
Sad to see the book’s author
lost so young
with such promise
with so much talent
And yet, we will hold Nina’s book close
Take it out often
Leaf through a life well-lived
Not a moment wasted
And we will scribble our memories
in the margins
We miss you
© 2014 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
The subject of my last, hopeful poem, Nina Fitzpatrick, has passed over to the other side. She was – and is – a formidable presence in the lives of many students at Laguna Beach Institute of Art and Design. Check out her FaceBook page and see her in her glory. She was awake at the time of the accident and even posted a message complaining about all the CT scans…then there came an irreversible swelling of the brain and she ceased connection with the physical realm. although they talked to her and were sure she could hear… her soul suspended between the bed and the beyond.
Nina, like Riley, decided early on that she would never want to be held in a vegetative state and that she wanted her organs donated. Her parents, surrounded by “Team Nina” (Riley and other close friends), were there 24/7, a testament to love and hope – and finally to the heartbreaking act of saying goodbye.
Nina will graduate from LCAD. Students are now pushing harder for an overpass to avoid that unbelievably dangerous crosswalk. Let’s hope the city is shamed into finally taking action. It’s too late for Nina, but she will be watching, I know. BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR if you’re not already.
This will go in as a Memorium to ABC Wednesday, Letter M. Thanks for reading this. Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
whimsygizmo
Oh, Amy.
I am so, so sorry to hear this. What a gorgeous tribute. That second stanza, in particular, speaks to me. Many prayers for the family, and for Riley.
Carver
Beautiful and poignant tribute. That’s a terrible tragedy. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
brian miller
its hard to think about
considering the students i lost last year
to see ones taken so young
it still hurts a bit to think about.
Polly
A lovely tribute to your dear friend, Amy. The lines ‘And we will scribble our memories / in the margins’ are very special. Thinking of you xx
J Cosmo Newbery
Unbelievably sad.
Roger Green
Yeah, I’m very sorry to hear that. It is inevitable that people have to die to fix some things.
Pamela
So young to be taken away, Amelita. A beautiful poem for Nina.
Paz,
Pamelita
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh Amy. So tragic. I hope the damned overpass comes to be. I love your saying that her life is a book you will take out often and thumb through the pages. That is comforting. As you said to me, we are all writing our books………Nina’s ended far too soon and how horrifying for your daughter and her friends that it happened in front of their eyes. They all acted heroically, in its aftermath.
El Guapo
Beautiful eulogy. I hope this piece gives some comfort to those that knew her.
kaykuala
Kind tribute beautifully expressed, Amelita! It hurts a lot when a finality comes to one so young and so talented. It hurts knowing a lot more contributions should be forthcoming if not for the tragic episode. It is noble to keep the memory alive even with just leafing through pages of the book forthwith. Thanks for sharing Ma’am!
Hank
Mary
What a poignant Poe, Amy. What a tragedy. My condolences to all who loved her. A life ended way too soon is hard to bear.
Inside the Mind of Isadora
May you all find comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone in your grief.
God hugs those in time of sorrow. I’m sure He is holding your hands and leading everyone to find peace.
Blessings to all …. ❤
nan
prayers for Nina – and for Riley. So sad to learn of this tragic loss.
J Cosmo Newbery
Thinking of you Amy, Cos.
Sharp Little Pencil
THANK YOU ALL for your compassion, your prayers, and your encouragement, especially for Riley. I know she visits my blog and will be very touched by all you have written. No direct comments for you all, but I have visited your sites and expressed my thanks there. Peace for the soul of Nina. Love for her parents. And for those young ones feeling keenly this loss, keep her alive through stories and sharing her work. Amy
Through My Eyes
Oh Amy this is so, so sad and heart wrenching. Such a waste and could have been prevented. My thoughts and prayers are with you all 😥
seingraham
Just read this now Amy and as always am blown away by how you’ve captured this life lost too soon without over-sentimentalizing it…Still, utterly sad and what a waste…and as others have said, so preventable. A lovely tribute.
seveinte
What’s up to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views
are good designed for new viewers.