Today marks both 14 months since out Katie left us physically, but also at sundown the jubilant Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashanah, marking the start of the new year on the Jewish calendar. Maybe we can also celebrate Katie a little on this new year, and remember again the bright spirit she was, and that still shines upon us all now. I don’t know about you all, but while I keep Katie in my heart, I still miss her every day. The way I go forward is to remind myself of the ways she is still with us.
Katie, Our Light
Her vision for Project Give-Back is now in action, giving Katie Kits directly to those struggling with treatment. Her true love of Nate will mean he always has an Angel looking out for him no matter where he is. Her radiant smile will always warm our hearts. Her strength of character and belief that we can all change and overcome is still inspiring. Her view that all should be treated equally, from kids and adults on the Autism spectrum to LGBQT communities, should still push us to do better in our daily interactions. Her loving support, love and friendship is painfully missed dearly, and only strengthens the realizations of the impacts she had on all of us. Her circle of friends here and afar, can still join together in spirit and thought to keep her shining light alive.
Just as she set forth for us at the funeral service she constructed to help us with our loss, I think she had the Gospel choir sign to us “This Little Light of Mine” to honor her light by making sure our own lights shine a little brighter. In our grief and loss, we must not forget that she wants us all to take care of ourselves and spread our, and her, light even stronger. Be warmed by your light, just as you are by the glow and peace of a bonfire or the candle on your table. And let your light also be warmed by Katie’s eternal light.
And here is a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” to carry with you:
In the spirit of Rosh Hashanah at sundown today, “Shanah Tovah” to you all! It is Hebrew for “Have a good year” for those (like me) not familiar.
Peace and Love to you all! And Shanah Tovah!
Ashby
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The Life of Katie K... 
Happy New Year to all– thanks for the lovely sentiments Ashby.. Great thoughts to move forward into the new year.
Ashby –
Quit your day job and become a writer!
Hopefully this will be a better year…..except that we just found out that Bernd has taken Nate and moved back to Germany. Apparently he’s moved somewhere near Stuttgart which is not far from Gondlesheim (sp?) where the rest of Bernd’s family lives. Katie loved
Gondlesheim and she loved everyone else in Bernd’s family. Hopefully Nate will be able to spend lots of time with them. They’re all good people. Don’t know what happened to Bernd.
Happy New Year to all.
Tammy
Thinking of you Tammy, and Nate, and praying that Berndt’s family will be a positive influence that will balance out the ugliness that is Berndt. Susan and I spent a day with his brother and sister-in-law when they visited the States; they were lovely people. She was so cute — we took them to the famous American Coney Island on Woodward and she was afraid we were feeding her real dogs! Katie laughed hysterically (smile). Also, I’ve been to Stuttgart and it’s quite nice — a good place to raise a child, I think. Not too big, not too small. With my good wishes for the new year, Fran
i love this post ashby ~ your love of katie shines through and makes my heart full. i wish i had gotten the chance to know her because she sounds like a remarkable person. thank you for keeping her alive for all of us. la shanah tovah to you ~ i hope this year brings us some continued peace and much love.
debby