Hey Kari…
Last month I was with several of your friends – this month I will be with more of your friends…
The gleam in their eyes when they speak of you – their laughter – and the warmth of their memories and their hugs let me know how much they loved you…
They’re all good people, Kari – I know you’re proud of them – they travel hundreds of miles to hang with a 47-year-old guy to help him honor you… You must have been something very special – but I already knew that…
Next week I’ll be 48 because of you. In a few years I’ll be 50 – because of you. I never thought I’d be “old”, but I’m getting there. (Don’t worry – I’ll never act my age…)
It’s been eight years since you came into my life, Kari. I don’t know what it would mean for me, and I guess I don’t care, but I wish you were here. I miss you.
Love,
Lungs & Laura…
p.s. Your precious young friend Nicole took her speech about you and me and organ donation to All-State at UNI, like she said she would. She let me know she “kicked butt” – I know you’re proud of her. I am too. They’ll never, ever forget you Kari.
Eight years ago today, Kari passed away. Eight years ago tomorrow, at around 2:00pm I got a call. Eight years ago tomorrow, Kari brought her big, beautiful smile into my life.
I could go on and on about how I feel about Kari – about her mom & dad, sister & brother-in-law and her beautiful little niece… About her friends, so many of whom I’ve hugged… Lord knows, and so do most others how I can go on and on… But for now, I’ll just leave it at this…
A wonderful man named Tom used to take care of this for me – now a wonderful lady named Deb helps me – there are flowers on Kari’s grave that she placed there for me… I always have a note with them – you’ve just read my note to her today.
