A mere week before she left us, Kel planned my 55th birthday party with our dear friend Michele. It didn’t matter all the challenges she was facing at the time (and there were many). She knew me well and she had a plan. Birthday pie, not birthday cake. And even though it was October and off-season, it had to be cherry pie, my favorite. And even though we have a pie shop just 3 blocks from her house, I know she sent Michele into Chicago to Hoosier Mama pie shop - a favorite of ours where we had stood in line in the cold, last Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful party - the 3 of us sharing pie and laughs, while Hope snored on Kel’s pillow.
I wrote her a thank you card but I didn’t get it to her in time. I waited too long to write it. Then I debated whether to mail it or bring it over when I saw her. And then she was gone. But it’s ok. Honestly, I could never keep up with her and her acts of kindness. And she didn’t care a bit. Kel always set the bar so high, but didn’t judge the rest of us who operated on a slower mode. She didn’t care about formalities, and I know she didn’t need a written card to know how much I loved and appreciated her. Kel loved with her whole being and her whole soul. She was happy to do all the planning. Host every gathering. It was enough for her that we were all just along for the incredible ride.