The First Time I Saw Her I Thought She Stepped Out Of Vogue...

The first time I saw Claudia I thought she was a model. She looked like she stepped out of Vogue Magazine. She was in the break room and was eating her lunch and reading Reader's Digest. She got up and threw her utensils in the trash and turned around and smiled at me. Yeah she had to be a model. Later, I found out she was to be my new Supervisor at Fleet (now Bank of America).

Claudia was a great Supervisor! Every morning she would leave us a morning welcoming message on our phones before we signed in. They were always upbeat and made you smile, even if you knew the day was bound to be busy. She had a knack for making you feel special. She gave constructive criticism as warranted, but always ended your review making you feel special; that you mattered.

We became friends. She was my Supervisor at work, but she was also my friend. I always marveled at how pretty she was and how she could make any outfit look great. She was gorgeous. But most importantly, she was beautiful inside as well.

We've stayed in touch through the years. Called each other every two months or so to catch up. Our lives went separate ways after Fleet became Bank of America. We no longer worked together.

Yesterday evening Claudia's daughter called me and told me Claudia committed suicide. No one knew or had any idea. I feel as if I failed her somehow. I wish I had known her despair. I wish she had called me in her moment of desperation. I love you Claudia. I know you knew that because we told each other that whenever a phone call ended. I'm so glad you knew that. Somehow, it wasn't enough, but my friend, you were an amazing lady and I will miss you.............