I write

I write to vent
I write to feel
I write to relive
I write to remember
I write to express
I write to visualize
I write to tell stories
I write to imagine
I write to heal
I write for therapy
I write for someone to hear me.

Julie Anne Gorczynski

Setting the scene, driving east bound on 135th street, turning north onto 88th avenue in Orland Park. With her best friend as the driver of a 1997 Jeep Cherokee, it’s a Friday night. The Friday before that was the graduation ceremony at Lincoln Way North High School. Turning Northbound, all you hear is the collision of a 2009 Mozda, that was traveling westbound, against the Jeep. Three ambulances, two fire trucks, and two fire chiefs respond to a two car t-bone crash at 10:30 on a Friday night. When they arrived to the scene, they found the Jeep upside down in a drainage ditch, claiming the life unexpectedly of Julie Anne Gorczynski. Raised in Frankfort Park, 17 years young whose life was taken six days before her eighteenth birthday, and one week before her graduation party. She was a sister of five, loving daughter, granddaughter, and great granddaughter who was cherished by all. She was also, a cousin to many, including myself. She had a personality that could light up a room, you couldn’t help but to be dazzled by her. Her purpose in life was to bring smiles to people, at least that’s what it felt like. Julie was pronounced dead at Palos Hospital at 11:05pm that Friday night. The 17-year old driver, who was also Julie’s best friend, was taken to Christ Hospital in stable condition. The Mazda, which was driven by a 21 year old Lemont man, and passenger was a 19 year old from Tinley Park, was traveling 85mph in a 35 speed limit. Both boys were treated by paramedics on the scene and did not have to be transported to a hospital. Julie worked at Marcus Theatre in Orland Park. She had planned to attend Joliet Junior College, together with her best friend this fall. But the next time we would all see her, was when she brought together a room one last time, at her wake. Her casket was covered in pink flowers with an Italian placard. She was so proud to be Italian, even though she was half Polish, she only spoke of her Italian heritage. Six months prior to the accident Julie had gotten a tattoo on her right foot reading “in the end, they will always be there, mia famiglia.” Looking around the room, and reliving each image on the pictures. Seeing all the faces that were there to celebrate the life that was cut short of my angelic cousin, it was hard to fight back those tears. Her smile just beaming in all the pictures, subconsciously knowing everyone was wishing they could see it one last time. Many hearts have been broken and many tears have been cried. Full heartedly wishing we could bring back Julie, because it’s so hard to say goodbye. Although, six months have already passed the wounds are still open, we pray for her each night. While looking up at the sky knowing it only looks so beautiful because she is up there. No one is ever prepared for the worse you can only hope for the best. But it’s hard to let go of someone, who wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Julie Anne Gorczynski, born June 16, 1993, Died June 10, 2011, born to be an angel.