When I first met Theresa at UVIC she was 21. I was ten years older. I quickly discovered Theresa's weathered and wizened soul - not the kid I thought she was. She charmed me with her sharp mind, sweet giggles, her devilish sense of humour ...and with how she hardly seemed aware of her brilliance. There was no pretence to Theresa - just the real goods. I think of her in visual bytes:

• colliding in the hallway at UVIC and falling into a long, solid, calming hug, as others whizzed on by
• Leigh, Theresa and I in the front cab of Leigh's truck, heading off to MacDonald's, Theresa giggling with the horror of what she was about to do
• Theresa at the Gala, eyes flashing, filled with mischief, dressed like a femme fetale
• In Port Renfrew, walking on Crescent Beach, throwing off her clothes to jump alone in the icy waves, the rest of us shivering with the cold. Swimming with a seal, laughing and bobbing, the seal intrigued and moving closer.
• Talking for hours about our hearts' similarities, unable to say goodbye

Unable to say goodbye...

I'll miss you dear heart.

Jacqueline Bedard