'Living On A Prayer' Jon Bon Jovi

'She says: We've got to hold on to what we've got'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.We've got each other and that's a lot for love -We'll give it a shot.'

I will always think of Allison when I hear this song. For a long time we were obsessed with it, we would play it at full blast in her Hond Civic screaming at the top of our lungs and laughing at all the stares we got.

Thats how I will remember Allison funny and full of life.

She's one of those people that you come across in your life who have changed you or helped shape you in ways you didnt even know were possible.

She was crazy and unlike anyone I have ever met. She had a special knack for embarassing me but she was also a great friend who looked out for me. Sure she was weird but she helped me be proud and embrace that part of myself as well.

I found out yesterday that Allison at the age of 23 suffered a brain hemmorrage on Nov 27th and passed away on the 30th.

I have been going through a roller coaster of emotions but right now am holding onto the memories.

We lived together in this tiny apartment by Greenlake. It had a front porch that allison loved because she could go out there and smoke. I dont know how she did it but she would always get me to go out there with her. We would sit there with blankets around us and talk about everything and anything.

We worked together at storables and we would take turns in driving to work complaining and sucking down dbl cheeseburgers and Coke's.

• She was the one that got me addicted to CoCo Cola..
• I went on my first Road trip with her to San Fran, we went to Alcatraz and The Golden Gate Bridge and she made fun of me for taking picture after picture.
• She introduced me to undergroung hip hop
• I bought her black converse for her birthday and the Playboy hardcover book for christmas, I was so embarassed when I bought it but she really wanted it.
• She bought me my first Coach Wallet and I still covet that thing
• She talked me into buying my first Seven Jeans and I told her that was the best purchase I ever made...
• We worked together and would often get in trouble for talking to much, calling each other from one side of the store to the other. I would take her register shift because she hated it and she came to visit me in the building room because she knew how lonely I would get back there. We would run to each other to give random hugs .. oh and we would be made fun of for singing really badly to the music while we were recovering the store after it closed.
• We were addicted to Alias and I got her addicted to General Hospital
• She loved to sing just as much as I did.. I would play Sunday bloody sunday for her on the juke box at our favorite hangout Dante's and she would never forget to play seven nation army for me.
• She loved the song You Cant Make Me Love you by Bonnie Raitt and she revived my love for the Cure
• She was supposed to come with me to London but decided to stay back and go to school instead, I was proud of her for it.

She was a special person lost just like the rest of us but she made the path to finding yourself fun. I lost touch with her over the summer because we were both moving but Allison was never far from my thoughts. I am sad to know that we have lost someone that had so much to offer. Its a tragedy but I am happy that I was fortunate to have had her be part of my life.

I loved her because she was a good friend and she always will be.. I will never forget her...



Allison Noelle Raaen

RAAEN, Allison Noelle - 1981 - 2005 Allison Noelle Raaen passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, November 30, 2005. Allison is much loved by and will be sorely missed by her parents, Cindy and Dale Raaen, and her younger sister, Kelsey. Allison was born in Overland Park, KS, on December 24, 1981. It was a joyous Christmas. In 1990, Allison moved with her family to Melbourne, Australia, where she made many lasting friendships. In 1994 her family moved to Lafayette, where she attended middle and high school. Allison was beautiful, caring and funny. Her gentle demeanor was a source of strength to her friends and family. Allison was a good listener and could always be relied on for advice and comfort. Allison's sense of humor brought smiles, laughter and sunshine into our lives. Her warmth and acceptance was felt by everyone she knew, and even by those she met for the first time. Allison loved her boyfriend, Nic Maynes, and their dog, Harper. She enjoyed spending time with her family and came home as often as she could. Allison was an avid "Googler", always researching a variety of subjects and matters. She was a firm believer in women's rights and was an advocate for the rights of gay couples and individuals. Always generous, Allison's final gift was the donation of her organs. Her family is very proud and is comforted by the fact that her life will live on in others. Allison received an Associates Degree from Diablo Valley Community College. She then attended the University of California at Berkeley. Allison took a two-year hiatus from school, during which time she lived in Seattle, Washington, and Austin, Texas. Allison recently returned to California. She resided in Santa Rosa and was slated to begin classes in January at Sonoma State University where she planned to pursue a degree in sociology and urban planning. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, December 10, at the new Veteran's Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the AVM & Neurological Research Fund, P.O. Box 49587, Sarasota, FL 34239-6587. For more info