Ok, I’m done with my pity party. That’s not to say my personal demons will not rear their ugly heads again, but for now, I am moving on. Life is too fucking precious to be wasted on feeling shitty about yourself.

My dear friend’s sister, Debbie Kennedy, passed away this week. I had only met Debbie a few times before, but I remember her radiant smile and indomitable spirit. And she was quite a badass too: G shared so many dramatic stories of Debbie clashing with their Taiwanese parents. Shit man, she always stood her ground, esp when it came to parenting disagreements: she knew how she wanted to raise her kids. I know, don’t immigrant parents just bring out the best in us?!?!? SMH.

Sigh. Debbie left this world far too early. She was a vibrant and animated soul and by god, she was a fighter. I am inspired by her strength of will and her strong love of family.

Yesterday, Richard Branson, responded to Alaska Airlines’ decision to cease the Virgin America brand, with a powerful letter. His last paragraph resonated a lot with me and reminded me of Debbie:

George Harrison once said, “All Things Must Pass.” This was the ride and love of a lifetime. I feel very lucky to have been on it with all of you. I’m told some people at Virgin America are calling today “the day the music died”. It is a sad (and some would say baffling) day. But I’d like to assure them that the music never dies.

Like the music, her spirit lives on. Rest in peace, Debbie. Oh and FUCK CANCER.