Zoe: Light, Laughter and Joy

by: Denise Rowe
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I came across this quote before New Year’s, and I shared it with my friend and Travel Sister, Zoe Welsh:

​Nothing is coincidence
Every soul you meet is written
In your destiny to teach you,
To heal you, or to love you.

I did not know that days later it would bring me comfort as I mourned her tragic death at the hands of an intruder in her home on January 3rd. 

Light. Laughter. Joy. These are the words I think of when I think of my friend Zoe Welsh.

I would never in a million years ever consider that the words grief or anger would be associated with my thoughts of her. Whenever we were together, we chose to be happy and dream.

I am so thankful that I got to spend Wednesday evening with her and celebrate the new year. We made plans to talk this week and made a commitment to spend more time together. We had so many wonderful memories in the short time we got to know each other, and I will treasure them. She was there for me when my dad was dying, and she hugged me tight in the airport when I found out he was gone. What I wouldn’t give for one more hug . . . one more laugh over our inside jokes.

Zoe would want us to press forward as a network; she loved this project. We have all come together as women who want to travel the world. However, in the end, we have built strong bonds and lifelong friendships, a true sisterhood. We show up for each other through thick and thin, we laugh together, cry together, and raise and prop each other up. We are true blessings in each other’s lives.

This is what comes to my heart and mind when I think of Zoe:

Be too much. Be extra
Live boldly. Smile wide.
Laugh loud. Celebrate yourself.
Stay open-hearted.
Feel deeply. Speak your truth.
Giggle. Dance. Soak
Up the sun. Play in the waves.
Breathe it all in -
And love your life!

I will remember the giggles and smiles. I had the pleasure of experiencing all of these emotions with her and I am a better person because of it. 
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I am grateful for the life of Zoe Welsh. Zoe’s soul brought knowledge, inspiration and joy, and now her energy and memory will continue to light our paths forward.

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