Beautiful article. Sad tragedy. The good news is that her life isn't in vain. I know that I'm already trying to be better because of the legacy Alliy lived. I hope this pierces our hearts to the extent that we honor her and others who suffer by being proactive in our compassion and by doing good always. I remember the family at Greenbrook pool, they are a good, salt of the earth family. My heart aches with them, for them, and the community. <3

Adriana, thank you for expressing what so many people feel. Many of us will continue to be better because of Alliy.

Beautiful article Cheri...I have been thinking about Alliy and my own daughter, Libby (age 4), and how I will let Libby know she is loved and has so much to offer as she grows and blossoms. Thank you!

Sending prayers for all to heal in their own way. Everyone needs to know there is someone out there. Kids maybe kids but need to express themselves in a variety of ways. I will hug my boyS tonight and think of Alley. That's the least I can do on her behalf. God bless.

All kids have a voice but sometimes they are taught to be quiet or not heard. I know this 1st hand with what I'm going thru with my son. Kids are not perfect but need to learn to communicate. We have to love them for who they are. All children. I pray for healing for the Bayless family. Hug your kids tonight. Mine will get extras thanks to this article.

Sheila, Thank you for reading! And you are so right, not only are kids not perfect, neither are we. And we need to learn to love each other for exactly where we are. Thank you for your lovely words!

Poetically written and you did a wonderful job capturing the essence of how people felt about Alliy. She'll be forever missed and never forgotten. She had wonderful parents, great siblings, and a beautiful life...it just isn't right. This sad tragedy could happen to any family for reasons unknown. The Bayliss family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you Cheri for the grace and dignity in Alliy in writing "Shine On."

Beautiful article, Cheri. Thanks. You've captured a community's grief and their effort to heal as they hold each other in community. Perhaps, one day, we'll be able to support each other and appreciate our gifts without having to go through such heartache and loss.

Thank you Cheri for writing such a beautiful column and for reminding us all to reach out to others around us. By reaching out we can help others feel wanted, seen, heard... and we can help ourselves to feel as though we are a needed part of the community surrounding us. By reaching out and making connections with others, we all belong. Thank you so much Cheri for eloquently reminding us of this.

Cheri your writing as usual is so descriptive it makes words come to life. In my minds eye I could see the community coming together as one. How beautiful and wonderful that must have been. I felt sadness for the family, friends, teachers and the community as a whole. It is so amazing that such a young person can leave such mark on so many people. As sad as this tragedy is, it is also important to be grateful for the time she had on this earth and the effect she had on so many people.
As always, thanks for your writing. It must have been a very hard article to write.

Mark, it is amazing to see our community come together yet we have done it before but the kindness and compassion of this community never ceases to amaze me. Interesting... one of the first times I EVER experienced "writer's block" was when I sat down to write this article. Not because I didn't have a lot to say (that seems to never be a problem for me) but I worried that I could not string together the words that deemed fitting and appropriate for what seemed so emotionally important for me... as soon as I let go that this is NOT about me at all but rather to try and give "light" to one perspective that could perhaps be shared by many, the writing flowed. Thank you, as always, for reading and so eloquently lifting us up with your words.

This is so beautiful Cheri. The ceremony and Alliy herself really come to life your few short words. Thank for taking the time and giving of yourself to write such a great piece. I have shared it with many. Heidi

Beautifully written article, Cheri. I didn't know Alliy, nor her family, but, there is something about the loss of this young woman that has profoundly touched my heart. I also love the color blue...it's almost like I have a spiritual connection with the color blue. If heaven turns out to be custom made for each of us, heaven for me will be all the beautiful shades of blue, including Alliy's beautiful azul.

Life can indeed feel like Alliy's "Starry Night" painting, where the beauty of life can feel overridden by the uncertainty and difficulty of it all. I'm just so sorry that she didn't reach out for help. I'm sorry that her family has to go through this heartbreak, as well as her friends and others who loved her.

When I think of her on her last Monday morning, I just wish someone could have, would have looked at her and perhaps been able to see her pain and taken the steps to help her. But, no one did. We're all too busy trying to keep our own lives from falling into the abyss. Maybe that's one of the lessons here - never be too busy and concerned about your own life that you don't notice (or care) that someone you've encountered during the day may need help.

LIfe holds so many questions, yet so, so few answers. I'm beginning to learn though, that maybe we just need to learn to make peace with the unanswered questions. My continued prayers go out to the Bayliss family, as well as Alliy's friends and others who loved her.

Simply "AMAZING" article. Brought tears to my eyes. This is a heart breaking tragedy and will haunt our community for a very long time. I have a daughter who is a student at Charlotte Wood Middle School. I can tell you first hand that this is becoming a major issue with pre-teens/teens today. I always express my concern to take it very serious when someone mentions harming themselves. Whether it be "cutting" or thoughts far worse, it's not to get attention. It's a cry for help.

I know Alliy is shining that beautiful brite smile from her star up above! I wish the Bayliss family the best through this difficult time and my prayers are with you.

Beautiful Cheri......absolutely beautiful. I felt her light and your light shinning through.

Absolutely wonderful, Cheri. Thank you for this...I know it couldn't have been easy to write. Just want to make sure you know how special you are to us! :)

Heidi, Janice, Cathryn, Shelley, and Lisa... Thank you for reading and adding such thoughtful comments!

Wonderful article Cheri. Thanks, Elizabeth R.

Cheri, We are Alliy's family in Pennsylvania. We unfortunately could not come to California. We thoroughly appreciate your article that gave us a glimpse of how beautiful the celebration of Alliy's life was. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

The ceremony was was incredible. Cheri you couldn't of summed it up better.

Elizabeth, thank you.

Peggy, you are very welcome... I am happy that the article gave you a glimpse of the celebration... it truly was beautiful, everyone was moved.

JR - Thank you!