My Eulogy to LeeAnn

I thought that I should post this short piece I wrote for LeeAnn's funeral. Because I wasn't able to attend, LeeAnn's family allowed my writing to be read during the ceremony so I could be involved in the process. I want it to be available to anyone else who couldn't attend the service, and to those who did attend, but maybe wanted to read it again anyway:

I met LeeAnn in second grade, and we became fast friends. We were in every class together in elementary school. When LeeAnn moved to St. Louis for her second lung transplant when we were ten, I went to visit her in the Ronald McDonald House. Some of my most cherished memories take place at LeeAnn’s house during one of our many sleepovers. We used to stay up all night hyped up on Mountain Dew, and playing Mario Cart. Sometimes Shannon, LeeAnn and I would laugh so hard our stomachs would hurt. We had an equally amazing time in high school; She and I cheered alongside each other, goofed off in our art classes, and graduated together. When she started getting sick our senior year and had to start homeschooling, I was over often to share the latest gossip.

Then I moved to college and she went back to St. Louis. Like before, I visited her several times, both before and after the transplant.  We had a great time every visit, and I’m very thankful that I was able to have that time with her.  I feel at peace knowing that I was able to help ease her pain. I wish I could be here for her now, today, but I know that LeeAnn wouldn’t want me to miss this opportunity for adventure. I also know that a part of her is here with me in England now. A part of her is with all of us, with every person whose heart LeeAnn managed to touch. We all know that she’s in a better place now. She feels no pain; it is those left behind who must bear that burden. LeeAnn is now free, no longer bound by machines and medical tubes. I know that LeeAnn is reunited with her Grandma and is enjoying finally getting to know her little sister Sabrina.

LeeAnn Marie Binder

On Sunday morning I received some heartbreaking news that my best friend had passed away.

Her name was LeeAnn, and she had just had her 20th birthday on January 6. She suffered from a lung condition called Bronchiolitis Obliterants, and was in recovery from her 3rd lung transplant in August. The Steelers were her NFL team, and she had a huge crush on Troy Polamalu. Her favorite color was purple. LeeAnn liked listening to Disturbed and Papa Roach. LeeAnn has four siblings; Sabrina, the youngest, battled with the same medical condition as LeeAnn and passed away only weeks after birth. (Her and LeeAnn have a lot of catching up to do!) Shannon, the youngest surviving sibling, is pictured below between me and LeeAnn. Vincent is the second oldest sibling, and the only boy. Stephanie is the oldest.

 LeeAnn and I had known each other since I moved to town in second grade. We acted like dorks together at the middle school dances. She did cheerleading with me in high school. She won homecoming princess and prom queen. We graduated together.

I was so devastated upon hearing of her passing that I wanted to cancel my trip and stay home. Her funeral is on Saturday, and if I left I wouldn't be able to attend. But then I realized that LeeAnn wouldn't want me to miss out on this experience. She was so excited for me the last time I went to visit her in the hospital. We talked and talked about my upcoming trip.

Then it really hit me; LeeAnn is gone. She won't ever get to experience anything else ever again. Now it's up to me. I know that she'll be with me wherever I go, whatever I do. So now I have to live my life for her, too. When I get on that plane and go to England, so will she. When I get married someday, she'll be right there. When I have my first child, she'll be a part of that child too. Because she is a part of me now. I need to honor that, and live my life to the fullest so that she may experience all that she can't on her own. And then someday we'll meet again, and we can talk for eternity about all the adventures we experienced together.