It has been a week since I saw her smile. Tonya had a smile that would make one forget about the bad day they had. I would see Tonya on occasion when I work on the weekend. She would work extra hours as an inventory control clerk, doing what she could to provide for her two children.

I did not know Tonya all that well, but I would always say hello to her and ask her how she was doing. She would always give me a smile and tell me that she was fine, while she could be having problems at home. But I never heard her complain.

Up until last Thursday, I had not seen her. I would on occasion, think about her and wonder how she was doing. On Thursday, I saw her smile, and sadly, it would be the last time. As I watched the news during dinner, her photo came up on the screen. A photo of her with that great smile. And as I watched the news report, I would find out that she was murdered by her ex-husband.

Tonya and her ex-husband had a history of problems, as I was told by fellow employees that were closer to her. He had a criminal history , being in and out of jail throughout their marriage. She finally divorced him and moved on with her life while raising her two children. After he was released from jail, he went out to find her.

How she was murdered, and the motive behind it, I do not know. I do know, however, that there are two teenagers out there without their mother. And they will never see her smile again, as well as feel the love that she gave them and the care she provided.

Although I was not that close to Tonya, it hurts me to see someone's life taken in a senseless, violent act. Especially when that person had so much to offer in life. My thoughts and prayers are with Tonya and her family, and there will always be a place in my heart for her and that wonderful smile.

"Sandy, that waitress I was seeing lost her desire for me..."

Someone wrote about music on their blog recently, and how some songs remind them of summer. One song that reminds me of summer is "Fourth of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)", by Bruce Springsteen. It is on the album "The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle". It is my favorite album by The Boss and his E Street Band, and around this time of year the song plays in my head.

"And, did you hear that the cops finally busted Madame Marie, for telling fortunes better than they do..."

As I think of tomorrow while the E Street Band plays in my head, I think of cook outs, swimming, boating, and fireworks. After the traditional cook out, watermelon and ice cream becomes the traditional after dinner fare.

I worked at the ice cream cart for my weekend job at the theme park, serving ice cream novelties to the guests visiting this Fourth of July weekend. As I stand next to a sign showing the ice cream novelties for sale, an umbrella shades me from the sun. On the blue umbrella reads "Nestle Ice Cream"in bold, white lettering. And I have someone who walks up to my cart and asks me what I am selling.

I will let you insert an answer here."________________________________"

Would you like an ice cream, Sandy?

To any bloggers from Canada, I hope you had a great Canada Day. And I wish everyone else at Blogstream a Happy Fourth of July holiday.