Wednesday night – Kate

Friends..
    I have a very tough news this evening. Last night I learned that Kate, a daughter of my good friends Tom and Beth, had just died of a drug overdose. I didn’t know what to do…or what to think..  I so remember how important it was to me when my freinds showed up in the days following Sam’s passing. I was too sick to to do anything last night. I was up an around today.. so this evening I drove over there to see what I could do.  I stood outside there house for several miutes centering myself before I walked in..


Beth met me at the door.. as soon as she did I knew I had done the right thing by coming. I spent a few hours over there talking and listening to Tom, Beth and the rest  of the family.   We talked about Kate and her life. I remember her as a bright funny and vivacious kid. Her dad and I once fired her FoxTail catch toy a few hundred yards up into Robbin’s mountain using a 20 foot long air cannon.. That was at Dian and my 10th anniversary in 1996.. that would have made Kate 10 years old.

Tom, Beth  and I couldn’t figure out how long we’d known each other..   We think we’ve known each other for about 20 years. Our lives have always run this intertwined parallel course with interests, mutual friends.. and now this..

It hurts me to think what my friends are going through today… and forever.. I know this dance.. and I would never wish it on anyone.

I also know the power of friends and family in healing and the strength that comes from that..  I will be there for them as so many friends have been there for me.

I found a picture of us on Tom and Beth’s fridge.. you can see all 5 of us over Tom’s shoulder here. That picture was taken in the Caymans just a few months before Sam died.

I could remember so clearly that fog I was in in those few days following Sam’s death. I remember how much I realized on the love and strength of others then.. I new exactly the role I had to play tonight.. which was nothing.. I knew there was not much I could say or do.   just listen, hold, hug.. and listen some more.

There will be visiting hours on Friday night 7-9 at Ready Funeral home on Shelborn road then a Celebration of Kate’s life at Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Saturday. The times will be in the Free Press tomorrow.

Thanks for the guidance tonight Sam.. You were with me.. I know.. Gnite all
-me