Look at the stars, look how they shine for you

By Christy Montenegro

Meet Millie, a kind and free-spirited soul who became more than a friend to me, a sister.

November 1, 2009 was the last day we took a picture together….

To many people, Halloween is all about candy, costumes, and festivities. I used to enjoy those things as well, until life took a drastic turn and I experienced one of the worst pain a human can endure.

Millie loved her friends and family so much, specially her baby sister Mia. She was known as the life of the party and could brighten up a room with just her smile. We met our senior year of high school but didn’t get more acquainted with each other until after graduation. We soon became inseparable and wondered why we had been apart for so long.

She lived life to the fullest and her spirit was contagious.

Before I met Millie, I was a completely different person. She helped me come out of my shell in ways that would affect me for the rest of my life. I will forever be thankful for having her by my side when I most needed it.

It is true that throughout life, you will meet a number of people who will eternally be a part of you.

Millie and I had so much fun together, I can’t recall ever having a dull moment. One memory that is always so vivid in my mind happened on a Sunday afternoon. We were sitting in my room reminiscing about our weekend when she disclosed to me something she hadn’t told anyone before. After scolding her for not telling me sooner, we immediately took action and anxiously waited for the results. A couple of minutes later, we looked up at each other in complete shock. The next 30 minutes were filled with laughter, hugs, tears and emotions.

After pulling ourselves together, she was ready to do this. We were ready to do this.

Milagros Cecilia Barrera died November 09, 2009. That day I lost my best friend and a small piece of my heart has been missing ever since. Looking at the video on News9 from the day of her vigil brings back so many emotions. There I am, wearing a pink shirt, in complete disbelief of the sight in front of me.

This is the first time in over 5 years that I have opened up about her passing. My decision to move out-of-state to become a flight attendant was also a form of escape from the somber events that occurred in my early twenties. A failed relationship and the passing of a friend, which both left deep scarring wounds.

So much has changed in the past few years. I know she would be extremely proud of all my achievements and the woman I have become. The feeling of loosing a loved one is indescribable and hard to accept but I know she is in a better place, shining like the star that she always was.

XOXO Christers

Please feel free to share a memory of Millie below.