Autumn Soyka

Autumn was the first to introduce me to musical theater when we were about 8 or 9 years old. She took me to audition for a production of Scrooge at The White Barn Theater in Irwin, PA. From there we had a wonderful friendship that I will always remember. I have been out of touch with Autumn for many years, but, from reading all of the words about her and from being friends with her on facebook, I can see that she is still the same person she was all those years ago.  Full of life and love. My dad and I were talking about Autumn this morning and remembering that every time we had a sleep over, Autumn and I would never actually sleep! Autumn never wanted to - she just wanted to stay up and talk and laugh our heads off. 

I want to express my sincerest sympathy to Autumn's family and friends. She was an amazing person from her youngest days and I hope you are remembering all those lovely memories. I have been thinking about all of you a lot these past few days and I hope you know how many lives Autumn touched over the years. God bless. 

Words will never be enough to describe Autumn, you just have to know her.  So full of life, energy, joy, beautiful inside and out, kind-hearted, and she could make you laugh, even on your worst day.  Her smile and the sound of her voice could light up any room.  To know Autumn is to love her.  

There are SO many memories I can think of - beach days, trips to Gainesville, prom, our 16th birthday party, beach days, slumber parties, Powderpuff, borrowing clothes - Autumn did laundry one way, EVERYTHING went in the washer/dryer together - needless to say some of our clothes were a little too small to be worn again :), laughing hysterically at Dave's Bay City Plywood commercial impression, playing "Let's Hear It For The Boy" over and over singing it so obnoxiously, and many more.  All of these memories with Autumn involved so much laughter that we usually ended up in tears.

I will cherish these memories always.  I feel so blessed to have known such a kind, beautiful soul.

My thoughts and prayers are with her wonderful family, friends and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.     

   Larger than so many memories is the profound sense of loss that we are all experiencing; this tough like no other:, I can feel her everywhere and know she will be having all of us take the next step; making a promise to Autumn to love and care not only for her family, but care for ourselves.......let's commit to making our lives count...   Let's love one another; let's love like crazy, and let's make every day an Autumn day!!!  She totally would like that  :)

Dear Autumn:

Indeed you were wonderul!  I'd only known you a year professionally, but you touched me.  You will be missed and may GOD rest your incredible soul.

Beautiful memories...

Darryl

Words completely escape me when I am trying to describe Autumn to someone who didn't have the honor of knowing her. Words don't seem to do her justice. It wasn't just a 31 year old woman who passed on from a fatal accident, it was AUTUMN SOYKA. I have never known and probably will never meet someone like her, which is sad because this world needs many more. And if trying to describe Autumn herself isn't an impossible task alone, try explaining the family and their love for one another as a whole.

So much to remember: prom at her house, track (I remember her and Madeline ran hurdles :), running down to the causeway..only to eat at McDonalds..and run back, powder puff football (Autumn seemed to confuse this light-hearted flag version for hard core tackle),  4 hour phone conversations at 1 in the morning, boy talk, Pacific Palisades nights, pajama jammy parties (and high school parties in general...). 

The world is definitely a better place because Autumn was in it, and I'm sure Heaven now is too. I can totally see her schooling the others on how to be a TRUE angel. I'm going to miss her so much, but I couldn't ask for a better person to be looking down from above. I love you girl!