“The light shines into the darkness of my room every morning; despite dark storms, the sun eventually shines.
Opening the blinds first thing in the morning symbolizes the fact that I try to see the light above all the darkness in everyone and every situation I encounter.”
- excerpt from Lucy’s college essay
Mrs. Edith Diaz, Lucy’s English II Honors American Literature teacher, lovingly honored her memory by sharing a rough draft of Lucy’s college essay, titled Lucesita, at the Student Mass held at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy on September 9, 2022. On a day when our hearts were broken, Lucy’s final message to the world was filled with light and signs of hope beyond the darkness.
Watch and listen here.
Lucy in the sky shines bright in our darkest moments.
As dawn broke on September 6, 2022, the morning after she left us, Lucy’s friends and classmates gathered for a sunrise remembrance at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, Florida. In the sky, a single blue ray appeared, followed by a rare and elusive anti-crepuscular ray, sometimes called Angel Rays. Together, they formed an arch reminiscent of Mary’s Mantle, enveloping and consoling the sorrowful hearts of all who were there.
On September 14, 2022, just days after her funeral service, the first of a series of double rainbows unlike any we had ever seen stretched across the sky, appearing simultaneously over neighborhoods throughout the city. For those who loved Lucy, they became a lasting symbol of her presence in heaven and a powerful reminder of God’s glory, love, and providence—witnessed by thousands in a moment of shared wonder and awe.
“The skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
- Psalm 19:1
In grief, we reach for the light that reminds us love never leaves us. Through rays in the sky, double rainbows that appear just when they are needed, the quiet and magical presence of butterflies that spark wonder, and the words Lucy left behind, we are given signs that she is near. These moments become sacred reminders of her spirit and her joy, guiding us to carry her light forward with faith, courage, and grace.
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