My Mother-in-Law, Kathy Kenney died early this morning after a long and gracious battle with stomach cancer. Kathy was a kind, spiritual woman who faced her illness in much the same way she lived her life - with humor, faith, patience and compassion.
She will be greatly missed by her wonderful family, colleagues and friends and I know her passing leaves a hole in the lives of her husband, John, children and grandchildren.
I enjoyed talking with Kathy about many things, but in particular we loved comparing notes on the books we read - what we liked and what we couldn't get through (mostly me as I think she finished almost everything she read). I still have a list of recommendations I'll work my way through this year.
We also shared a love of coffee and I know now that every time I order a Caribou, light roast with a "touch" of cream, I'll remember her.
Rest in Peace, Kathy. I'll miss you.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, November 2, 2009
A Day to Remember
Today is All Souls Day. I wasn't really sure what All Souls Day was, except a day to remember the dead. So, of course I Googled it. I was right, All Souls Day is, in fact, a day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have died. (There was a bunch of stuff in there about purgatory too, but I'm pretty sure I don't have to be concerned about that.)
Like all of us on this journey through middle age, many wonderful people who have touched my life have passed away over the years. I remember all of them, but there are two people in particular I'd like to write about today.
My father, Frank Edmonston Kilpatrick, died on December 31, 1992 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 68 years old. Dad was a smart, funny, kind man who I miss more and more as my kids get older. I know he would have loved getting to know them. I can see little bits of him in both Jack & Charlie - in athletics, quick sense of humor and love of airplanes.
My brother, Andrew Edmonston Kilpatrick, died unexpectedly, on December 9, 1992. He was 36 years old. As I mentioned in my first post, Andy struggled with the demons of addiction for most of his short life. I have a better understanding, as I get older, of how difficult that must have been for him. I will always remember his sharp wit and sense of fun, and I also see some of him in my boys - particularly his competitive game playing. (Let's just say that Jeopardy should just never be played by anyone with Kilpatrick blood)
So as I said, I remember both of them every day, but it's nice to remember them a bit more today.
Like all of us on this journey through middle age, many wonderful people who have touched my life have passed away over the years. I remember all of them, but there are two people in particular I'd like to write about today.
My father, Frank Edmonston Kilpatrick, died on December 31, 1992 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 68 years old. Dad was a smart, funny, kind man who I miss more and more as my kids get older. I know he would have loved getting to know them. I can see little bits of him in both Jack & Charlie - in athletics, quick sense of humor and love of airplanes.
My brother, Andrew Edmonston Kilpatrick, died unexpectedly, on December 9, 1992. He was 36 years old. As I mentioned in my first post, Andy struggled with the demons of addiction for most of his short life. I have a better understanding, as I get older, of how difficult that must have been for him. I will always remember his sharp wit and sense of fun, and I also see some of him in my boys - particularly his competitive game playing. (Let's just say that Jeopardy should just never be played by anyone with Kilpatrick blood)
So as I said, I remember both of them every day, but it's nice to remember them a bit more today.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I'm a Member of the Right
The "Right" Family, that is. We just returned from a terrific weekend at Spider Lake with our Friend Brad. I realized, not for the first time, during the weekend that all four of us in the KilKenney family like to be right. Jack calls us the "exacto" family. I don't think I truly understood that until I stopped and listened to how many times we corrected each other over inane facts this weekend. Do you really have to skip a turn in Scrabble if you get all vowels and you put your tiles back? Does Cousin Jan work FOR the MLS or WITH the MLS? Is it a Shirley Temple or a Roy Rogers? and on and on.....
I'm not sure how it all got started. Are we just a competitive group? Does being right make us feel that much better? Do we all need more attention? I honestly don't know the answer, but I do know it needs to stop because it gives me a headache.
So as a part of this self-insight journey to my 50th birthday, I guess I need to admit that as the matriarch of the "Right" family, I have the power to make, at least my participation, stop. That, of course, means I need to start letting things go, and not feel the need to be right (at least all the time). I have to admit, that doesn't come naturally, so I feel some work coming on. I am going to try to catch myself before I correct unimportant facts and let the conversation flow. I'll let you know how it goes in the coming months. At the very least, it will be a good exercise in restraint.
Does this register for anyone else? Again, in my quest for self actualization, I'd love to hear any stories, tips or ideas.
I'm not sure how it all got started. Are we just a competitive group? Does being right make us feel that much better? Do we all need more attention? I honestly don't know the answer, but I do know it needs to stop because it gives me a headache.
So as a part of this self-insight journey to my 50th birthday, I guess I need to admit that as the matriarch of the "Right" family, I have the power to make, at least my participation, stop. That, of course, means I need to start letting things go, and not feel the need to be right (at least all the time). I have to admit, that doesn't come naturally, so I feel some work coming on. I am going to try to catch myself before I correct unimportant facts and let the conversation flow. I'll let you know how it goes in the coming months. At the very least, it will be a good exercise in restraint.
Does this register for anyone else? Again, in my quest for self actualization, I'd love to hear any stories, tips or ideas.
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