Marisa Joy Williams

Miss you

This is a copy of my column that appeared in the Panama City News Herald on Marisa's birthday in 2008:
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"To Marisa … on the occasion of her 19th birthday"

The days are growing shorter again. For a while the humidity was down, and that gave the atmosphere a false feeling of autumn just around the corner. It’s back-to-school season, and you can smell it in the air. It makes me think of all those mornings you picked up Nathan for school, and I keep expecting you at the door any...

Here is a copy of my Undercurrents column from the Sunday after Marisa died:

"All that's best of dark and light meet in her aspect and her eyes" - Lord Byron
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Let me tell you about this girl I know.

I can’t recall how we met. I do remember my son, then a junior at Bay High, saying that Marisa was helping him with his math, and I said, “Who?” and he said something like, “She’s a drama kid.”

But it seems no mere chance that the time our troubled lives began...

I remember making the dirt pie with Marisa.



I remember us being stylish together.



I remember us being artsy.




I remember us being bored in her car outside of Wal-Mart, while she was sewing up her pants.



I remember all the laughs we had together.



I remember our adventures.



I remember us being tough as nails.



But most of all I remember our friendship.



I will always miss...

It has been 18 weeks and 4 days since Marisa left us. I don't think the pain of losing her will ever lessen or go away. She was my baby girl and it breaks my heart that she will not know the joy she gave me by being a mother herself, she will never grow old with the one she loved. Not one day has gone by when my eyes have not run with tears for her. I want to thank everyone who has and who still continue to lift up her father and I as we walk this path of life without her. She was our bright...

Marisa lived here at the Polos East- and i work in the office. She came in to visit weekly- she was always amazing, beautiful, joy-filled...just unreal!!! i miss her dearly- and she is an inspiration- as she was a true being- a wonderful part of life. love Amber

So sorry to hear of your loss.I am shocked and saddened by the loss of a young lady that had so much to offer the world! My sympathy is with you and yours in such a time of grief! Sincerely, Ms Geri Magee/National Discovery

I didn't hang out with Marisa all that much, but the times I did, I had the most fun. That is who she is, fun and heart. and she did give us her love, evey single time she smiled.

Marisa, you were not only my sister-in-law, but you were my little sister. You were beautiful inside and out. I'm an only child and from the first time I met Marisa we hit it off. She will be missed so much. I hate that Noah will grow up not knowing his aunt Marisa, so it's mine and David's job to make sure we tell him about her and show him pictures of his aunt Marisa. My heart goes out to my mother-in-law, Donna. No one should ever have to bury their child. I pray I never have to be in that...