Happy Birthday Mollie

Yesterday was Mollie’s 53^rd birthday.  I wanted to post this last letter I wrote her – she died before she got it but the sentiment remains the same.

Dear Mollie:

Your mother told me about your situation and I just wanted to write you and tell you how damn sorry I am.  It always confounds me how and why some people draw this card in life and others, seemingly far more deserving, do not.  I am really sad that your situation looks so bleak and I would never presume to second guess when someone has had enough.

I want you to know how much I have enjoyed being your friend over the years.  From those childhood birthday parties to our many play dates to bike rides out to 11 miles in the long days of summer; those are all cherished memories.  You are one of the people in my life that I don’t ever remember not knowing.  I am so glad we reconnected via the internet in recent years and shared some laughs and our mutual love of kitties.  If I ever get that Kathy’s Animal Park I will have a hedgehog named Mollie. And every time I see that sun catcher I will remember to appreciate life, even when life kicks me in the gut.

I have no idea what to say to you here, I just want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you peace and the absence of suffering.  Mostly I just want you to know that your time here on earth has brightened my world.  I wish you could have fulfilled all your dreams, the dude ranch, the published material, the riches you dreamed of.  This outcome is so unfair.

In a way I almost envy you.  There are so many uncertainties in our futures; the turmoil our world is in, the natural disasters that will befall us, the threat of terrorism and the ailments and decline of old age.  It would be nice to avoid all that along with the certain heartaches we all have to look forward to, broken relationships, death of loved ones, and all manners of situations we can neither predict or avoid.  Many times in recent years I’ve thought of Cheri Pardee and wondered in the cosmic scheme of things if she wasn’t actually the lucky one and not the less fortunate one.

I don’t want this to be all maudlin; I simply want you to know how much I have enjoyed our friendship, how much I wish none of this were happening and how much I’ll be thinking of you in the coming months. I want to celebrate your life, to honor your contribution to my life and the lives of others.  SO, until we meet again my friend, peace and good wishes.

Oh, and if in the future you see my Gretchen & Hillary, give them loves from me! Tell Rissy to quit hissing at them!!

Love Always,

Your friend Kathy