I stood there gazing upon the beautiful, vibrant soul of a girl I wish I knew.
I see so many people crying and smiling as they talk about wonderful memories that are too late for me to understand, but wanting to none the less.
I see the pictures of the faces and the smiles and I find myself hearing through her closed eyes a story.
I hear a story of love and friendship and joy and I am thankful that all of us gathered here to listen.
I watch everyone gaze upon a girl I wish I knew, amazed that such a young girl had so much time to influence so many.
So young is this girl I wish I knew, but slowly I close my eyes and feel like I do.
The energy is so intense that it makes me smile even in this sad time, because I hear her tell me to smile.
This girl I wish I knew is still taking the time to make someone smile. Not just someone, but me, a someone she didn't know.
I can feel her telling everyone to smile because that's what she was good at.
She is so good at it that even in her hardest time she made a stranger smile.
What strong will and independence for her to pause and worry about me and a smile.

I learned a lot today from a girl I wish I knew. I learned that sometimes all you need is a hope and a smile, because I know all she hopes is for us to smile, whether we knew her or not. Oh, what a girl I wish I knew.

By Patrick Apel, in loving memory of Haley Urbin.