Echo's tribute

My good friend Echo. Yes, her real name is Echo and she is very happy with her name. I am too! It completely fits her.

I first met Echo at work during the summer of 2004. We both worked at Walt Disney World. She was there for the summer working on a college program. College students are able to take a semester off school to work for Disney and still get credit for school. It's something like an internship. We were both working Main Street Entrance but I think she started working in Delivery Services and I stayed in the Stroller section.

I don't recall the exact moment we first met but I do remember one particular scene. She and some other cast members were under the train station at the counter there and I came to relieve someone. I was fairly new and didn't really know anyone but she included me into the conversation and I instantly felt like I had found a friend. At that time, the thing to do was to head out to eat after work. Most of the time we would end work at around 2 or 3 am and there is a restaurant called Steak and Shake that was open 24 hours. So a group of cast members would head over there to hang out. I was invited and decided to go. That started my friendship with several people that have lasted and Echo was among them.

Echo is a young woman that is always smiling. Even when she is crying and thinking the world is out to get her, her inner beauty and calm reserve is always shining! She epitimizes the word blonde, but don't let that fool you. She is much more intelligent that she lets on. She is less than a year from a costume designer degree and has produced/directed/designed several plays. I might have that wrong but still, she's done a lot with regards to plays. I think she's much more talented than she gives herself credit for.

She definitely has had a difficult road emotionally. Very close friends of hers have met with tragic ends and that has shaped her as a somewhat cynical person. I doubt people would ever use that adjective but I think it is among the top 25 that I would use to describe her. I feel bad that she has had to deal with such sadness. I do think it has helped her to cherish every day and live it to the fullest, which she does in abundence. She packs as much as possible into one day and I love that about her. She's always willing to do some crazy things for a laugh in and outside the limits of the law. It adds a reckless flavor to her demeanor.

She's a great friend to me and has given me many hours of laughter. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. All, and I say ALL of her friends would say the same. After meeting and talking to her for just a few short minutes, you will never forget her! She floats on a breeze in and out of your life and you are so much more because of it.

I've done some crazy things with this girl. Here are a few. One day we decided that going to both sides of the state during the same day would be awesome. We wanted to watch the sunrise and sunset within the same 24 hour period. So, Echo, her friend Michael, our friend Veronica and I headed out to Clearwater Beach at around 1 pm. Once we got into Clearwater, we found a Target and stopped to get some drinks and snacks. We bought one of those styrofoam coolers that cost about $.87 cents and filled it with ice and wine coolers. On the way out of the Target store, Echo (she is going to hate me for puting this on the net but it's way so precious and I just have to tell it) walked up to the exit door and just stood there. She had walked up to the manual door but didn't realize it. So she started jumping up and waving her hand thinking that the sensor for the automatic door was broken. I was laughing so hard I doubled over. After about 3 seconds, Veronica walked up next to her and said very softly but loud enough to be heard, "Echo hun, you have to push." Echo then proceeded to turn as red as a fire engine as she pushed open the door. By then, I was crying so hard from laughter and could barely walk much less breath and Michael had to sit down on the curb to try to compose himself. Veronica was consoling Echo who was trying to convince us that she thought it was the automatic doors and that she really wasn't that stupid.

Once we got to Clearwater Beach, we parked and started unloading the car. We put the drinks in the cooler with a bag of ice and everyone grabbed a bag and headed to find a spot on the beach. Michael took a few steps and then, we heard a crash and the sound of breaking glass. I turned around and looked as Echo gasped. The styrofoam cooler didn't hold up as we had thought and the handles on the sides fell apart. Ice and beer was all over the sidewalk and Michael was covered. He looked like he had done something terrible and I simply started laughing again. Veronica tried to console him and Echo started cleaning between laughs. It was Michael's turn to be embarrassed but in the end, we all laughed and only lost one beer.

We finally made it to the beach and spread out our blankets and towels. We headed out to swim and played around in the water for an hour or so. Veronica and I after a while, decided to head out and just relax on the blanket while Michael and Echo played sharks. Vee and I started eating and then came the attack of the birds. Those seagulls get brave and downright violent sometimes. We watched the sunset which was just beautiful and hung around a little longer just to soak up the moment. After deciding to head back to Orlando, we wanted to hook up with some other friends. We waited around for them to get off work and picked them up around 11 pm.

Meg, Scottie, Eddie and Jo joined us for the rest of the trip over to Cocoa Beach on the east coast. I think we stopped once again for drinks and then headed out. On the way, music was loud as was the singing but it was so much fun. To be somewhat carefree and surrounded by friends that enjoyed doing crazy things is a treasure. We got to the beach and Echo along with Michael and Meg decided to go swimming. I wasn't about to. Besides, I was having fun just watching everyone.

The rule was No Sleeping. I think that time, I was the only one that didn't fall asleep. I woke everyone up as the sun was rising and we watched it come up. Beautiful! Then we all loaded up in the SUV and headed home. It was an awesome experience and I recommend it to all who read this. Whether it be with that special someone or with a group of special someones, it's amazing!

Well, I suppose since I've been working on this all day, I should finish up. Echo, you are truly an amazing woman. I hope you never lose sight of the value you have. The love of friends and family are around you at all times. Keep smiling and know that you are truly loved by many! I wish you the best in everything.