Aria’s Story
The Girl Who Was Feeling Fully
Aria Cheyenne was born on June 10, 2002. She had a special quiet energy from the day she arrived. As a toddler, Aria was a clear and kind teacher to her young peers: friendly, guiding, consoling, and always listening with kindness.
During her childhood years, Aria exhibited extraordinary loyalty and sense of justice. She never hesitated to protect and stand up for friends who were being bullied, she participated in social justice school clubs, and later developed a deep commitment to charity work and voluntarism through her initiation as a Rainbow Girl.
As a teenager, Aria exhibited courage to genuinely look into the deepest alcoves of who she truly was. She explored, questioned, dared, and exposed her edgy and brilliant human facets. Aria envisioned herself one day becoming a therapist or a researcher in the field of psychology. Toward this end, her compassion was magnified as she participated in the rigorous counselor training at TeenLine hotline. She spent her last summer devoted to learning how to be an even more attuned listener in support of teens in distress.
On September 13, 2018, Aria was diagnosed with late stage four Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer. Twelve months later, at age 17, Aria left her physical body. This last phase of her life was spent navigating pain, discomfort, and fears, as well as empowerment, creativity, deep love, and gratitude.
Though Aria Cheyenne is no longer physically with us, she is ever present within the actions, thoughts, and love of all who knew her. She continues to thrive here on Earth within the hearts of those she touched. Her legacy and message live on through you.
Written by Lee, Aria’s Mom, on www.theariaway.org
Aria’s Poems
Poem 10
when i awoke this dreary day i was a raindrop on a windshield
dragged upwards at 70 mph, along with my brethren.
at first i feared for my life.
now i know it’s needless in the face of my newfound immortality;
for i am god.
as we speak, i’ve become one with my brothers, sisters.
soon we will evaporate toward the heavens and rain down upon all the upturned hands, smiling, crying faces gazing up to us,
eyes closed.
Poem 12
when i’m with you
i feel like i haven’t hatched yet
i’m still floating
in this tiny, infinite space
surrounded by you
i can’t yet see, so all is golden
you’re the beginning and end of this world
the delicate shell holding me,
comforting, protecting
i never want to leave this place
and yet i know,
when i finally emerge into the world,
you’ll be there too
🥚🐣
Poem 44
it doesn’t feel like i’m going to die
at least not right now
it’s easy to forget the cancer inside
i hope so badly that the new chemo is working
please please give me my life back
i want to get better
i’m begging
it’s not fair to die at 17
Poem 16
a poem forgotten
a touch held back
thoughts never spoken
Resources
To learn more about Aria and Lee’s projects please visit: www.theariaway.org
