This week's Mama Kat's Writing Assignment was: "In the book I'm reading, Girls of Tender Age,the main character is deeply affected by the murder of a childhood friend. Describe a tragedy you didn't expect to be as deeply affected by as you are."My friend, Kate, died about two years ago and it hit me harder then I ever thought possible. I guess I just assumed that after losing both my parents, hearing of a friend's death wouldn't be as hard to handle.
I was wrong.
Kate and I went to the same middle school in Myanmar. She was only there for two years with me and then moved back to her home, Australia.
Kate was 24. I won't go into the details of what happened to her but it was accidental. She had her whole life ahead of her. It breaks my heart to think that she never got to become someone's wife, have children, be a part of her sister's and brother's families, travel more, have an amazing career and just simply live a wonderful and full life.
I had just seen Kate a month before she passed away while I was vacationing in Australia with a college friend. She was living in Melbourne at the time and I just so happened to be staying with a friend in her same neighborhood! What are the chances of that happening?! I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I was to be able to have that opportunity to see her again. Before this trip, I hadn't seen her in about 10 years! I can't help but believe that I was meant to go there. I was meant to see her again.
Her profile wall on facebook is always full of new comments of friends simply stopping by to say hello and say how much they miss her. Her birthday was just on Monday so I've been thinking about her more than usual this week. She would have been 26, just like me. It's hard to imagine anyone I care about dieing, but someone my age, that hits even deeper.
She was a beautiful, kind and fearless woman and I am proud to have been a part of her life, even for just a short time.
RIP Kate. I hope you have said hello to my parents.
:-(
ReplyDeletesorry my comment wasnt very insightful. its hard to know what to say.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for this loss.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tribute for your friend and I am so sorry for your loss. I am following you now, I'm not sure why you couldn't get my link to work :( let me know if you try again!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this story. And you are absolutly right in thinking you were meant to see your friend like that. I have been fortunate enough to have never lost a friend. I can only imagine how difficult that has been for you. Thank you so much for stopping by my site today and leaving those lovely comments. I am now a follower!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet comments Leah :) Your post really speaks to me. I lost my grandmother two years ago after both of her kidneys had failed and she had dementia. I thought I had prepared myself for her death, but I really had no idea how greatly it would affect me. It's always so difficult to lose someone close to you. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteDeath is a toughy. And you never know which ones are gonna tug at your heartstrings!
ReplyDeleteHi,that was lovely
ReplyDeleteI saw the link on kateys wall and I thought id read it.
I miss her every day, and I'll always love her.
This actually made me cry.. RIP Katey..
Love, Jules
I'm sorry about your friend. Glad to hear you were able to see her before she passed away. I would give anything to have gotten together with my friend before she died.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to read your comments on my beautiful nice Katie, we all miss her so much.She is now with her two cousins. James who died aged 2 and Ricky who was 24.
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteI am one of katie's friends, what you have written is beautiful and spot on, she is in my thoughts every day, the memories of her will never fade. i know she is watching over all of us and still being the amazing person she was when she was here, trying to help everyone and trying to make things better however she possibly can
I love her so much and miss her to pieces.
she is forever in my heart. RIP katie xoxo
Love moni
I am Christine, Katie's aunt and mother of James who died 25 years ago next month. Another of our treasured children who have died far too early and left an enormous gap in our family. Always loved and remembered Kate xxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it's hard enough to lose a loved one but when they are so young and have their whole life ahead of them... that is just tragic beyond comprehension.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute, Leah.