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Rhonda Sue’s Gone to Heaven
Rhonda Sue Norris was my best friend in elementary school. We were both in Mrs. Nairn’s class during fifth grade. The following is my best recollection of what occurred in the weeks leading up to and soon after her tragic death…
“Which state are you doing your report on?” I asked.
Rhonda Sue looked past me as she answered. “I don’t know. Colorado, I guess.” Rhonda Sue’s dad had lived in Colorado and they visited every year around Christmas.
We were going from our Homeroom to first period Language Arts. I had Mr. Hurka and Rhonda Sue had Miss Beck. We waved as we turned to go our separate ways. It was Friday morning and I would catch up with her again on Monday.
That would be the last conversation we would ever have, at least in the physical plane.
Rhonda Sue was the most nurtured, cared for, and loved child I had ever met. We had known each other since she came to our school as a third grader. Now it was 5th grade and I knew her and her parents very well.
Rhonda Sue’s mother was a flight attendant — they were called stewardesses in 1965 — and was away from home much of the time. Her father was a portrait photographer with a studio at home — not common at that time — and he served as the primary parent.
