My friend Kirby passed away this week. You would have liked Kirby. He was the type of person who never knew a stranger. Within minutes of meeting him, you would have felt like you knew him a lifetime. He was a practical joker, with a heart of gold.
I first met Kirby when Brady was in 5th grade. Brady and Kirby’s son, Jordan, were in the same class at school and on the same sports teams. As happens in many small towns, where the school is still the center of the social life, we parents formed a tight little group of supporters, cheering on our children. We ate together before games…and celebrated after games, too! We were always welcomed in each other’s homes. For eight years, we shared the highs and lows of our lives together.
And then it happened…as it often does. Graduation day came and the boys went their separate ways. Some were off to college. Others entered the military. And still others went directly into the world of work. Our children matured and developed different interests. And as we parents slipped into a new role, we slowly went our own separate ways, no longer connected by the bond we once shared.
After the boys graduated, I never saw Kirby again until a few months ago. It was at the gas station. We shared a hug, and reminisced about the “old days”. I promised to get the “gang” back together. I asked about Jordan, and Kirby asked about Brady. I asked what his wife, Sharon, was doing these days, and he asked if Kim was still working at the railroad. He was the same Kirby, ornery as ever. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, we wished each other a Merry Christmas and drove off in opposite directions. If I could have foreseen what was going to happen in a few short months, I would have called the old gang up that very evening and planned a potluck dinner. But I didn’t. I had Design Team cards to make and Dog Show things to do. In my new life, I did not make room for the past. How I regret not making those calls…
My friend Kirby passed away this week. He is the first parent of the group to leave us, and his passing has had a profound effect upon all of the boys. It has had a profound effect on all of the parents. It has had a profound effect on me. His passing reminded me that it is our friends who enrich our lives…and one should never lose sight of that fact.
My friend Kirby passed away this week…and I am sad…
This is a stunning card and made with so much love. I am sorry to hear about the loss in your life and the Brady’s life. It is so hard to lose someone when all of you are so young. Thanks for blessing my day with your card and the love that came through in your story.
Ann, I am so sorry to hear about Kirby. One never knows when we will be called, but it is always when we least expect it. We take for granted we have tomorrow sometimes. Whether you realized it or not, you were given a chance to say farewell. A wonderful gift we don’t always receive. :C) Your card is beautiful!! Your in my thoughts!! Amy L.
Sorry about the passing of your good friend. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Oh Ann, what a gorgeous card and a lovely post to honor your friend. Don’t be too hard on yourself…life takes many paths and it’s so wonderful that yours crossed again with your friend, if only for a moment. Hugs and thoughts go out to you. xoxo
Ann-Your post about your friend Kirby, and some of the comments left thereafter, will probably change a lot of lives moving forward. I know it will mine. I hope that knowing that brings you some form of comfort during your difficult time. What a blessing to be able to be a positive influence on so many. Thank you for sharing, not only your story, but your beautiful art work as well.
Oh, I am terribly sorry for the loss of your friend, Ann. The regrets we have after someone passes on will always be there, but I am glad you got to see him one last time around Christmas. THat was a real gift to you, and to Kirby too.
Ann, I have been out of town and just catching up on reading your posts. I am so sorry to read about your friend. It is such a difficult time for those of us who remain on earth when we lose a special person. May you find comfort in all the good memories you have. D
Oh my, I don’t think I can say anything different or better than everyone else has. Your blog post and sharing of the card you made was so sweet and caring. I am so sorry for your loss as well as to his family and other acquaintances.
Chris R. from Iowa
I am sorry to hear about your friend Ann. My thoughts and prayers to you, the family and the children. Life is so precious and we do get swept along until have a moment or experience that makes us reflect. It was wonderful you happened to see Kirby recently, that was obviously meant to be. Sending you a cyber hug – remember the wonderful memories and he will always be with you.
just reading this story brought tears to my eyes Ann-I am sorry for your loss. I get caught up in the same stuff with my cards and design team commitments. Thanks for the reality check today.
Oh, Ann…how very sad! Your card is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful person. You are in my thoughts.
So sorry, Ann…Hope that beautiful card you made helped you as I am sure it will do for the recipient!
Ann, I am so very sorry about yur losing your friend Kirby. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. I’m sorry that you did not get to have the group all together before his passing. Life has a way of getting away from us due to being so busy. Lately I have been thinking about how I need to see many of my friends that I have not seen in awhile. I guess it’s time to stop thinking about it and just do it. Thanks for the nudge I needed to do so. Your sympahthy card is beautiful.
Mary
Ann this card is lovely and I’m sure the family will treasure it in his memory. Your story is so touching. I have lost many friends and family in recent years and it always seems to cross my mind… what if I would have…. would of, should of, could of. I think we grow wise as we grow older and know we can not possibly be everything to everyone that we would like to be at all times.
All I know is I am the best person I can be when I do cross paths with those who played a role in my life that I care about.
Just reading your story tells me that your friend and his family will know what a special person you are to those in your life. Take Care and find comfort in the wonderful memories of the past. I am so very sorry for your loss. Hugs.
Your story brought a tear to my eye. We often do loose sight of what is really important in life. Friends and family often get taken over by work and other things that are “priorities”. It’s sad that it takes loosing someone to remind us that time is precious. I’m truly sorry for your loss.
Your blog is very special and your thoughts a reminder to me to slow down. We all live with some kind of regret.The Lord has numbered our days and we can only hope that we do our best each day sharing our love with others. Just listening and talking to him probably made that day special for him. Blessings.
It is good that you were given the opportunity to see Kirby again, in spite of your regrets. Thank you for sharing this very compelling and bitter-sweet story. Susan
This week Oprah said: “why is it that we have these CELEBRATIONS OF ONE’S LIFE after they are gone” (she of course was talking about Whitney. She said “why don’t we start having these CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE when people are alive – even the people we remotely know – the people whose funeral we go to and there are less than 10 people. I leave this with you. It sounds like you wish you had done this with Kirby. Your story Ann is a lesson for all of us. Dead is too late. Alive is ALIVE! THAT IS THE CELEBRATION. But my love – there is no accident at that gas station. You said your goodbye’s – God arranged that. After so many years, you had a meeting with him “so remotely????” Nope. This was YOURS AND KIRBY’S CELEBRATION of the lives you spent together as families. I am sure he took that moment away with him in the same way you have just written about. God made sure you and Kirby were complete Ann. Nothing is by accident. Feel the sadness. It is a very good emotion to have. It only tells me of your kindness…and this too is GOD stirring within you. Many thoughts to you. Thank you for devoting your blog post to such a wonderful rite of passage and to such a wonderful memory and to such a wonderful aspect of ANN – the truth. xox
Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. I think we all feel the same as you when an old friend passes away. Why didn’t we get together more often? There is no answer to that question that satisfies or eases our sorrow. It just makes us more aware of how short this life is and maybe we say more I love you’s and give more hugs than we did before. I’m sending you a big hug right now. Remember your friend as he was and enjoy the memories. God bless you and Kirby,
Babe
Ann, I am so very sorry. Kirby sounds like he was an extroadinary person, just as you are. Life often gets ‘in the way’ and we never know what is ‘around the corner.’ Treasure your memories and enjoy today.
What a beautiful tribute to Kirby and all the people who cross our paths in some form or another. Each person we meet in life has an effect on us whether we are aware of it or not. How true that we rarely know how brief our interaction with that person may be and how sad we may be when we may never see them again. We all know our own version of “Kirby” and hopefully will let our feelings be known before it’s too late. Thanks for sharing your sadness. Hugs.
Please accept my condolences on your loss of a good friend. How blessed you were to see him so recently! Although our lives move on, we must always cherish our memories. The seasons of life are short. We need to enjoy the present “season” as much as we can while doing for one another. We must look forward to the future “seasons” with hope that we can continue touching the lives of others while enjoying future friendships as well. Ann, you are touching the lives of so many with what you are giving and sharing. You certainly have touched my life and I’m grateful for our “stamping friendship”. Although we’ve never met in person, I cherish your notes
and look forward each day to your blogs. Thanks so much!
Hugs to you Ann. Your card in memory of Kirby is beautiful and you did have an encounter with him before he passed away. Sometimes we cannot go back and change what has happened, we can only change what we do in the future. Hugs again.
I am sad for you & to all that Kirby touched; your card tells it all, so I know in my heart the family will feel the love; sometimes we get so caught up in our “latest life style” & we don’t mean to put our past on hold, but that’s life & we all do it; please know that you have blogging friends that are stamping angels in disguise; we are here for you; hugs & more hugs (from Susan xxxo)
Beautiful card. More beautiful blog post. Thanks for the perspective. So sorry for your sadness.
I would be sad too. I hate that we are at the age where most of us have lost our parents and are now starting to lose each other. But how wonderful you had such good friends to share those “kids growing up” years together. Your card is lovely as always……..xoxox
(((HUGS))) my dear friend. My heart hurts for you and I am SO sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your community.
Ann I’m so sorry you have lost Kurby, but I’m so glad that you got to meet him and spend time with him and that he enriched your life so. Friends like that are hard to find, are a blessing, and are never here for quite long enough.
I’m very sorry for your loss. I am guilty, too, of not taking more time for friends and loved ones. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You have wonderful memories that can’t be taken away. My prayers are with you and Kirby’s family.
Oh Ann I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a dear friend is really difficult, it feels like a piece of ourselves is lost too. It makes us realize how precious life is and to make the most of everyday. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family as you go through these difficult days.
Warmly, Julie V
Oh Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. You have paid him a beautiful tribute here in your post. Hugs to you . Kathy in AZ
Oh Ann….I am so sorry for your loss! Prayers and hugs to you in this tough time you are going through!!
Ann, I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. I remember when the first of my classmates died suddenly how it affected us and when a very close friend passed who we still miss.
I hope that soon you will be able to focus on the visit you had with him and remember the hug you shared when you saw him at the gas station. Your blog post is certainly a tribute to the friendship you shared. Hugs!
So sorry for your loss, and thanks for the poignant reminder to take more time for the people in our lives right now.
So sorry for your loss. Death is sometimes such a wake up call. My son passes away at age 27 (auto accident) leaving behind 2 small kids. Now I feel everyday that I must help them grow into young adults that he would be proud of…take this wake up call and make time for those who are important in your life. Prayers to you.
Hi Ann ~ thank you for sharing your heart ~ you are in my prayers as well as Kirby’s family! You created a beautiful card ~ have a wonderful weekend!
Ann, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your family and Kirby’s family are in my prayers. Be thankful for your last meeting and try to not be so hard on yourself. What a beautiful tribute and card to a special person in your life. Many hugs for you…
May God richly bless his family with confort and grace. May that very same comfort touch your life as well as you grieve his passing. God bless you all.
Ann-I faithfully read your blog everyday. Not only do I love your cards, which give me great inspiration, but I probably love your personal stories just as much. I am in love with your twins. I never post, and I mean never, but your words today really touched my heart. Bless you for sharing these personal stories that touch so many peoples lives in ways you will probably never fully realize.
Kathy
Dear Ms Ann , I’m so sorry for your lost,that card says it all,
Thinking of all of you !
Hugs Frenchie,
Ann,
So sorry for the loss of your friend. We are all guilty of not doing what we need to do at the time we need to do it. You still have all the wonderful memories to cherish forever. Our heart goes out to you and his family. Much love!
Ann, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend and what a beautiful card to honor his memory. We all lead such busy lives these days and it’s so hard sometimes to find time for old friends. Your post today has really brought to light the importance of taking the time to connect with each other, even if only for a little while. I’m glad you got to see Kirby for one last time before he passed and I hope all the wonderful memories you have of him will bring you comfort during this sad time. You and your family and Kirby’s family are in my thoughts and prayers today. Hugs to you, my friend.
Ann, Your card is a lovely tribute to your friend Kirby. You post does remind us not to forget what is really important in life and to take the time to do those things. We all get caught up and time flies by and before we know it the years have slipped past us. My heart and prayers go out to you and Kirby’s family. It is never easy saying goodbye to someone special but remember they always live on in our memories. Hugs
Ann, your comments are touching and give us all a reminder to slow down and really appreciate the most important things in life – the people we care about. Its hard to make time in our busy days to keep in touch with everyone, we find months or years have slipped by since we saw someone from the past. I hope you can take some comfort knowing that you will have many of us bloggers reaching out to old friends and family today. I’m sorry for your loss.
So Sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your thoughts to remind all not to forget all the special people in our lives. I pray the Lord’s comfort for Kirby’s family, they sure feel worse than even we can imagine. I pray the Lord’s comfort for you and your family as well. Part of grieving is remembering and your thoughts of Kirby and good times show grandly and lovely in this card in his memory and honor. Blessings in disguise.
Cheryl McAskill
c.mcaskill@verizon.net
Hugs to you Ann…it is so hard to lose a friend. Your card is a lovely tribute to him….a beautiful shady oak…that’s what friendship is like in this world…a place of beauty, a place of strength and a place of shelter. Remembering the good times will help you through…that’s what a guy like Kirby would have wanted.
Oh, Ann. It’s cruel how sometimes change can be so hurtful while other times it’s wonderful. So sorry. You certainly wrote a wonderful tribute to your friend. Just the other day I read this blog entry http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/02/4-ways-to-be-a-better-friend/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HolyExperience+%28Holy+Experience%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
and vowed to be a better friend. Perhaps it will help you too.
Ann..I am so very sorry to hear of the your loss of a good friend. So many times in our life a person will walk into our lives and make us some great memories. I hope these great memories of Kirby will comfort you during this time. Also I think it was wonderful you we able to spend some recent time with Kirby.
Some big Blog hugs to you from the “Girls” and me.
It is difficult to lose someone that has touched your life in such a signifcant way, regardless of how often you were able to see one another in recent years. I am so sorry that your friend Kirby passed away so suddenly. While there are no words to take away the sadness of your loss, may the memory of his friendship be a comfort you will always carry in your heart.
I’m so very sorry……
Oh Ann, I was so sorry to hear of your friends passing. I unfortunately know how that feels. I pray for you and your family and for Kerby’s Family too!I pray that your hearts heal quickly and that the memories of your friend never fade. I share in your loss. If there is anything I can do I am here for you. I am usually up late and am a good listener! His card is beautiful my friend.
So sorry for your loss, Ann. What a wonderful reminder to the rest of us to keep in touch with our friends.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend; your card is lovely and will certainly bring comfort.
Such a beautiful card and such a wonderful post Ann. I am very sorry for your loss and understand your feelings about what you “wish would have been different”.
Thank you for your heart-felt reminder about what is important in life.
I too know the deep regret of not making time for someone from the past… I too just lost someone dear to me from our old church. She was only one year older than I, 48. She battled cancer for 19 years. She was my sons AWANA leader and used to call him weekly to check in on him. She would call and say, “May I speak to Jacob?” Mind you, he was only 5/6? He didn’t get phone calls! His eyes would light up and he felt so special.
I will treasure the memories as I know you will of your friend Kirby.
((HUG))
What a lovely tribute to your friend. I think we are all guilty of putting things off because life gets in the way. It is a blessing that you did run into him and got a chance to talk. I’ve got four friends that I met when my boys were in elementary school. Our children are all adults living away from home but we get together every few months, go out to dinner and catch up. We haven’t done this in about 6 months. Your post has motivated me to get us together again. Thanks.
Ann, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Kirby. Your card is beautiful and your post really puts a lot of things into perspective. Thinking of you, my friend and sending you a big hug. So sorry!
oh Ann, I am so terribly sorry for your loss and the loss to your community. We too, live in a tight little community where the parents are all friends. When one of the moms had cancer last year, we all rallied around her until she got better…. much love to you through grief…. This is gorgeous card, I’m sure he likes it very much. Hugs.
You made a beautiful card in his honor. Try to be thankful that you at least had that last chance meeting and don’t linger too long on the other. We just never know what is in store for us during this lifetime. I know there’s so much I wish I could go back and change as well. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.
I’m so sorry for your loss.