Hey, its been a hot minute… or if we are counting, over a week.  And its been a week if you know what I mean. Probably one of the toughest weeks I have had in a long time. I don’t have tips or tricks to share with you this week. Again, it’s not one of those blog posts. I know my posts will eventually evolve back to that, but for the time being, these posts are helping me in a cathartic sense. So whats been happening since I last posted? I’ll fill you in.

It was my birthday party on June 2nd and it was a really good time. I got my hair did, spray tan, nails done, new outfit… I was feeling myself.  I saw some of my friends I hadn’t seen in months, so it was nice to see everyone be altogether.  We had dinner then onto a party bus headed downtown to see strippers. Not going to lie, everyone was turnt up and I don’t remember watching one stripper LOL… sweet. I would of had just as much fun at home but I digress. The club closed and we were all heading back onto the bus to go back home when I got a phone call. At first I had no idea who I was talking to. I didn’t have the number on my phone, and I was a little intoxicated. I found out it was one of my yoga students. He called to tell me terrible news. I am sure if you live in the lower mainland you might have heard of this tragic story.

Our beautiful receptionist, Olivia Malcom from our yoga studio passed away around 11pm and I got that sad news over the phone that night. It was a sobering call. My heart sank and I didn’t know what else to do but cry. It didn’t feel real at first. No one wants to get that phone call. Everyone was like “who the heck is Shannon talking to? Why is she crying? How could you be gone? You literally messaged me that night! Honestly the rest of the night was a blur. Same with the rest of the week. My first week being 27… Oh My God what a messed up week.

Over the past 3 years working at Oxygen New West, I had the pleasure of getting to know Olivia Malcom. She was this cute , (seriously ripped and shredded ) beautiful soul that would come into the studio and crush workouts with her sweet father Tony. It was soon that I started seeing her every day when she took over the receptionist position. She was literally a ray of sunshine. Always smiling, always happy and always willing to do whatever someone needed. The definition of a selfless human. There was this one morning when we were working together, where a woman came into the studio and stole someones back pack. Without even hesitating, Olivia ran out the door to track her down to get the bag back! She was literally 100 pounds soaking wet, but she was fierce! She was only 19 and yesterday,( on her celebration of life) June 10th, would have been her 20th  Birthday.

I spent my 27th birthday (Monday, June 4th) at the studio arranging candles and photos of you behind the front desk. Ugh… I wish last Thursday I would have stopped and given you a big hug instead of walking out the door and saying “see you on Tuesday!” If only you stopped 10 seconds after that ass hole of a drunk driver.  If only you were hanging out with me on my birthday! There are so many what ifs and could haves. I just can’t believe you are gone. It is seriously fucked up. All the good ones go to soon. The only thing that is keeping me going is thinking that God must have needed your angelic soul somewhere else to balance out the universe. I keep thinking about your poor family and your boyfriend Jake. I know they have a whole community behind them, but it’s going to be so tough to go through. Ugh, my heart just aches.

There were over 2000 people at your celebration of life Liv. It was beautiful, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the arena. I really can’t believe you are gone. My heart is broken and it’s going to be a while before it sinks in. If it ever does. I don’t know how I am going to go back to the studio- it is going to be really tough. This week I didn’t work out once. I didn’t have the energy to. Tomorrow is my first day back, and I know you would want everyone to go kill  it, push themselves and have fun. But you are still going to be in the back of my mind.

I haven’t lost someone close to me in a really long time.  I haven’t felt like myself. I keep thinking this is not real. I keep thinking about how I would see your beautiful smiling face every time I walked through those doors. How you would respond “Aritzia’ and laugh every time I told you how stinking cute you looked in your outfits and asked where you got them from. How you would always braid my hair when I was probably super annoying and always asked you. You never said no. I keep thinking how you were the nicest human and even drove to the studio to let me use your makeup when I forgot mine. How you would always tell me “Miss popular, everyone loves you!” Well Olivia Malcom – everyone LOVES YOU! I miss you, but I know you are here now, beside me- beside everyone. I know you would want all of us to be happy because that IS YOUR LEGACY. Your kindness bursary… it is incredible. The goal of $1000 has grown to over $100,000. Wow. It is just a true testament to your impact here on earth and how amazing you are. You are a ray of sunshine and I know that is what you will continue to be in everyone’s life who had the honour of knowing you. Even people that didn’t know you. You are reaching them Liv. You are bringing people together ❤ .I know you would want us to keep going- keep practicing and keep living our lives; and in your honour, that is what I will do. I will live for Liv. I will vow to do at least one act of kindness everyday in your honour; to continue you beautiful spirit and way of life.

If you would like to donate to the Olivia Malcom Bursary, click here

If you would like to read more about the incident you can click here

? Olivia , I Love you. You beautiful angel, forever and always.