Day 27 -- written by Nick Colasuonno

Sometimes you don’t have to be the best of friends to have a special bond with someone. That was the case with Hannah and me. We met through a mutual friend and would see each other at parties. It was the summer of my freshman year, at St. John Vianney High School, when I heard the news of Hannah being sick. It really surprised me because you never think one of your friends could have cancer.

When I heard the news of Hannah’s passing, I didn’t know what to do. My family and I tried to do whatever we could to help Hannah’s family. A few weeks after she passed, I went to order my Varsity jacket. I had the number 3 put on my sleeve in a way to honor Hannah’s memory. Purple was Hannah’s favorite color, and she sends me signs with it. The day of my Senior Prom, when I went to pick up my date’s corsage, to my surprise it was resting on a piece of purple tissue paper. I knew Hannah was looking down on me so I tucked that piece of paper in my jacket pocket and took Hannah to prom.

As the years have passed, I have not forgotten my friend and feel closer to her than ever. The number 3 seems to pop up at times when I need it to. When I moved to Nashville, TN, for my first job, the apartment I rented was 315 on the 3rd floor. Most recently when I went to get my Covid 19 Vaccines, every station that I went to was number 3. I have had my own health issues and I know Hannah has been there to help me through them. Although I wish Hannah was here, to know she has my back is comforting. Sue, John, Robbie, Rita, Mike and the rest of Hannah’s family are like family to us.

I will always do whatever I can to help keep Hannah’s wish of never being forgotten, and try my best to live up to her motto of "Live with no regrets, Love with Compassion, Be Kind, and Never Ever Give up that Fighting Spirit..."
​
Happy 22nd number 3!!!