This has been a very difficult post to write, because no words can adequately address what I’m feeling. Last week, the derby community in Vancouver lost someone very special. Sonia Nazarewich passed away. She was 25. Sonia skated with Raw Meat last summer, and moved on to skate with the Terminal City Roller Girls’ Bad Reputations. No matter what I say about Sonia, it won’t be enough.

My thoughts are with her family and friends. Sonia was a beautiful person. She touched many people. She will be remembered.

I can’t say to Sonia any of the things that I wish I’d said. So, let me say this to all of the wonderful women (and a few men) that it has been my privilege to skate with over the last few years of running Raw Meat: I love you guys. It has been extraordinarily rewarding skating with all of you. I am so proud of your hard work, dedication, and sense of joy in motion.

Some Raw Meat skaters have become unbelievably good athletes, and it’s a joy to watch you skate. Some of you have had babies. Some of you are still just starting out. Some of you were just visiting Vancouver. No matter how well you skate, or how many times you’ve come to Raw Meat, you are all part of building a community that I am very proud to have a role in. Thank you for being a part of it.

Sonia, you are missed.