Kate,
I remember you ready and willing to become my first friend
at GA. I walked into Mr. Jordan’s advisory, our first
day of high school, and there you were… with a smile
and sense of humor to ease everyone’s anxieties.
What a pair we made on the tennis court. You made me laugh
until my sides hurt. I was so happy to have you as my doubles
partner – win or lose we made the best of it. I remember
your Mom telling you to put your glasses on, in the middle
of a match, because you could hardly see the ball. You refused.
I remember spending the night at the Here to Stay farm, riding
around in your red Rodeo, trips to Wawa, walks to Rich’s
Deli, a Samples concert in the city, you throwing an entire
box of donuts out your car window because you didn’t
want to be tempted to eat them, your endless supply of fruity
lip gloss, the unique jewelry you work, GA/PC day (the year
we finally won), and the party in your barn to celebrate,
rolling our sleeves up and basking in the sun…
Of course there was our trip to Arizona, a month long adventure
with enough pictures and stories to consume pages! You had
a midas touch in everything that you did there – around
the house and in the wilderness. You baked cookies and rationed
them out to us, you motivated us to walk all the way to the
laundry mat with all of our filthy clothes in bags on our
backs, cleaning, dancing till’ we were dizzy, and signing
for entertainment… in the field you were strong and fast.
We went to the Grand Canyon. On the way there, we stopped
at an Indian Reservation. We all bargained for souvenirs for
each of our family members, and you also bought lots of turquoise
jewelry that you wore so well. Your Dad and Michael came out
to visit us. We went to a rodeo and out for dinner at the
Mexican place down the street from our house. You were so
happy! I can picture you in Arizona like it was yesterday…
tan, wearing that brown cowboy hat, and smiling…
The last time I saw you we were at the Vermont Reggae Festival,
in the summer of 1999. It was a beautiful summer day, and
the music and atmosphere was jovial… we were both in
line for the port-a-potties (of all places!) a midst a crowd
of thousands… you saw me first. We stood on that field
and caught up on our families, college, and recent adventures…
we even laughed at a couple high school memories… exchanged
hugs, then parted ways, optimistic that we see each other
again.
Kate, your legacy will live on through me far longer the
days of our friendship or the tears that we cry. You will
inspire me to go outside, reach mountain summits, and dream
big. Most of all, you will remind me to value friendships
and enjoy the present. I hope to be more like the friend you
were to me.
At your memorial service, the Rabbi asked us to see you in
the next snow fall. The next day, I flew home… on the
plane I was carried over the Rockies and peered down on snow
that stretched beyond the horizon. I saw you and you were
beautiful.
Eternally,
Amy Hall
|
