Kelly became another sister to me through her close friendship with my sister Michelle, and I couldn’t be luckier. My sister, Michelle Gill, is 9 years younger than me, and I was so happy that she grew her friendship and sisterhood with Kelly over the years, sharing experiences that we didn’t have between us like motherhood and their Oak Park community. Kelly stepped in and together they made the most special sisterhood that also included me. Of course, this found family was grounded in Andy and the kids, and Tom and the girls, while wrapping around me, Steve, my brother Jeff, our dad, and the beloved pups, Hope and Winnie. This family bond was built in progression over the years but became cemented in my memory over a Thanksgiving goose. Yes, a goose - like a Martha Stewart magazine cover issue on a silver platter. Never before a tradition, our ailing dad got it in his head that his wish (for what would be his last Thanksgiving with us here on earth) was such a goose. And, although perplexed, we all came together to make that happen. The Arquettes joined us at the Gills and brother Jeff came from Minnesota to partake in the specially ordered goose from a gourmet catalog. Jeff recalls dad ordering the recommended goose fat to be used in a separate dish. As a vegetarian, none of this was appealing to me, but we all went along, including Kelly who served it up to her kids like it was a long-standing tradition. And kudos to them all for not batting an eye. Manymoms would have given their kids a pass at the rich dark meat, but not Kel. She would do anything to ensure that dad’s wish was fulfilled. This was just one of many examples of her love for her family - and that included us.
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