For love of Kjersti and Renate

I write this out of love and respect for two wonderful girls that I never really knew. Kjersti (18) and Renate (16) died in a car accident on E39 at Ostereidet on 10. December 2010 and I honestly have to say that most of what I know about them today, I have learned after that date.

In other words – and as I have already stated – I never really knew them while they were alive, which is pretty much the reason why I have not written about this until now.

So, you may ask, how then can I claim to love them?

Well, let’s just say they are that easy to love.

I never really knew them before, but as I know them today, these girls were warm, sweet, caring and giving individuals who reached out and touched the lives of everyone around them in a way that made their hearts warm and put smiles on their faces. Both were active girls with fairly busy schedules, yet they always had time for the people around them and they were always willing to go out of their way to support any friend who needed it, any time, anywhere, any way. Their father said in their funeral that they were the sunbeams that gave light and warmth to everything. It seems to me like this pretty much sums it up.

I never knew Kjersti and Renate personally, but I know a lot of people who did and it’s really painful to see them all suffer so much. 

On the bright side, the simple fact that they managed to be part of so much and touch the lives of so many people in such a way tells a story of two incredibly good and rich lives – many who live a lot longer can only hope to reach as far.

But again, you might ask, if I never knew these girls, then how can I claim to love them? And again, I answer: They are that easy to love.

I love them for being such wonderful friends to so many people I care about. I love them for giving so much of themselves and caring so much for others. I love them because Kjersti and Renate were the kind of people that with their mere presence made the world a better place. I love them for being the sunbeams that gave light and warmth to everything.

We never know when it’s our time to go. Kjersti and Renate did nothing wrong. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, that’s all. It really isn’t fair – people shouldn’t have to die for that. But people do. Every day. Life is that fragile. Reality is that cruel. The world can be a quite horrible place and life can really suck some times. Yet getting to know people like Kjersti and Renate can make it all worth while  - and I love them for that.

We can never replace them. But we can all be a bit like Kjersti and Renate if we choose to. Share some light and warmth. Greet each other with a kind word and a smile whenever our paths cross.  Give some hugs. Never stop caring.

I think maybe that’s what Kjersti and Renate were here to show us, and show us they did.

And I love them for it.