First things first. It doesn’t seem right for me to go into our family’s story of healing without
first getting acquainted. So this entry
is about my family, and the little girl who gave us so many reasons to smile, Katelyn.
Flashback to 2009:
Katelyn was
at that magical age of discovery and make believe. She was an easy-going, happy child, very
content. She was a burst of SUNSHINE in
the mornings, bright-eyed (and brown-eyed), always ready for what was to come,
and willing to make the most fun out of her day. She was full of life and love, and she won
the hearts of all who knew her. She
loved to play and be among friends. To
her, everyone was a friend, including cousins, neighbors, Sunday School
teachers, and close family. There was
nothing that made her more happy than to see friends.
Kate greeted people with great big bear hugs. She would show how much she loved you (and
missed you) by squeezing you so tight. She’d
reach her arms around you, lock her little fingers behind your neck and squeeze
so hard you thought your head might pop off ! Everyone loved her hugs, and felt lucky to
get one.
Her most favorite one to hug and love on was her daddy.
He’d ask her, “How
much do you love me?”
And she’d stretch out her arms out as far as they’d go. “SOOOO BIG!!!”
Kate and her daddy had a love for motorcycles. She couldn’t wait for Scott to get home from
work so he could take her for a ride on the little motorcycle. Scott remembers the sweetest words in the
whole world as he’d walk in the door, “Daddy! You home!!!”
She’d give him the biggest welcome with loves and kisses. (Then she’d hit him up for a motorcycle ride
around the block.)
The Honda CRF 50 was just the right size to putt around the
neighborhood. If it were up to me, she
would always have a helmet, shoes and long pants - every time. But for the two of them, these were just
details that slowed down the fun. (But most times, momma would have her
way.) Together they would zip up and
down the dirt road at the side of our house, near the field. With the wind in her face, she’d giggle and
squeal – safe in the arms of her daddy.
Kate was a ball of good energy and you couldn’t help but
feel, “It’s a good life,” when she was around.
She loved to make people smile, and she would do anything to get a
laugh. Her Uncle Danny would have
laughing contests with her. They’d throw
their heads back and taking turns they’d laugh as deep and as hard as they
could to see whose laugh was the BESTEST!!
Katelyn was carefree.
She didn’t want to bother with such things as “fancy hair” or matching
her shoes with her outfit, or even wearing panties for the most part (but of
course I’d insist on that one). These
things just took too much time, and slowed her down. When I’d stop her and try to get her to
cooperate with me, she would always say “No, I Fine!” Most times I let her be her ownself, even if
it meant going to the grocery store in a tu-tu and cowboy boots. But she was a good girl for her mama, and out
of love for me (and to keep me happy), she occasionally gave in to my
suggestions.
Katelyn loved her big brother Carson. She usually tried to keep up with everything he was doing – that meant jumping on the trampoline, swinging on the swingset, rollerblading/ skating, hitching rides on his bike, and even wrestling.
Big sister Karlee was all spunk. Katelyn looked up to her and wanted to be just like her. Sometimes this drove Karlee nuts, but she loved Kate just the same. It was when Kate was old enough for a “big girl bed” (and we needed her old room for new baby) that Karlee willingly shared her bedroom with Katelyn. Katelyn was so happy to sleep in the same room with her big sister. Looking back, I’m so glad they had time to share a room together. Their bond became sweeter, and even now Karlee’s fondest memories are after lights went out and they giggled together before sleep. Karlee had a trundle bed; so they easily pushed the two mattresses close together and held hands while they fell asleep. I often found them just like that when I checked on them later, and the sight always did my heart good.
In the summer of 2009, a beautiful
strawberry-blonde baby girl was born into our family. Of all the names we had chosen, Katelyn
insisted that the “baby in she tummy” was “Kor-tuh-nee” (3 syllables). We loved the way she said it - it was catchy. Before she was even born, we were all calling my
baby-bump “Kor-tuh-nee” and when baby finally did
arrive, her name fit her beautifully.
Katelyn was thrilled and ready to become a “big sister.” She was a good help to me, and she loved on
her baby Kor-tuh-nee every chance she’d get.
I jokingly said I feared for the baby’s life because she’d squeeze her
so tight.
“Be soft with the baby,” I would tell her, to which she would say, “But I love her!”
I look back at those few precious months that they had together. They are beautiful memories.
(As a side note: I don’t know if Kortney really remembers her
big sister, or if she has seen so many photos of her that she thinks she remembers, but either way,
she speaks of her today as if she still knows and loves her. It’s unbelievable the special connection
Kortney still has with her big sister Kate.)
Katelyn was a tender-heart, always thinking of others. Katelyn hated to see anyone sad. She’d put her arms around them, and say,
“Don’t be sad, it’s okay.” Or she’d sing,
“Don’t Worry… Be Happy…” (even to the baby when she was crying.)
Katelyn had an innate sense that she was a child of
God. She loved her Heavenly Father, and
was the first one dressed and ready for church on Sunday, so happy to go. She loved her Nursery Class and her
teachers. She never knew church was
anything more than playing with friends, singing primary songs, learning about
Jesus, and sharing fruit-loops at snack-time.
(Such were the days of her Sunday School! Lucky girl.) Her
happiness was contagious, and she inspired all of us to go to church with a
good attitude.
We loved when she said prayers. She was always first to volunteer to pray at
family prayer. She’d start by folding
her arms, closing her eyes, (but keeping them open a crack to see everybody)
and say something like: “Dear Henly
Fodder…” (then she would wait for
someone to prompt her…) so I’d help and
say, “Thank you for this day…” (and
she’d say, “MmmHmm…”) and I’d say,
“Help us to be kind…” (She would nod and
say, “Yep…”) “Please bless us with
health and strength...” (“Uh, huh… and
Jesus Name, Amen.”) She was a sweet
example to us and always reminded us that Jesus loves us.
Of all the many beautiful things she came into this world to
do, I think the most important was to teach us to LOVE and be loved. She was certainly the best at it. She LOVED people and she loved life - so much
and so hard that sometimes she would actually shake with joy! She was our sunshine. Every day she gave us so many reasons to
smile!! I’m so thankful for the blessing
I had to be this little girl’s momma.
What a privilege to have her in our home and as part of our family. She continues to bring such a sweetness to
our lives. I pray her life and perfect little example of
how to live and love, will never be forgotten.
She has certainly made a lasting impression on our hearts. As her family, may we always be better people
because she taught us how to love, unconditionally, holding nothing back.
I’ll be eternally grateful to you, my sweet Katelyn for
making a difference in our lives.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy,
when skies are gray.
You’ll never know dear,
how much I love you. Please don’t take
my sunshine away.”
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