my friend Kate

Taylor Swift will forever remind me of sweet Kate.

I woke up Friday pumped for the Halloween weekend and excited about muffins for one of the intern's going away party. I got my morning coffee at Ebs and starting walking to work. On the way I decided I wanted to listen to the new Taylor Swift CD (I got it for $4 by the way) so I pulled out my phone. After reading texts that Kate had passed Thursday evening I couldn't breath for what felt like 20 minutes but was probably more like 20 seconds. I tried to go to work but that didn't work out so I spent the day roaming around the city thinking of my friend Kate.

The memory that most invades my mind is the first time we met. We were in in 8th grade and I had just joined NCL. We were having a meeting at the home of one of the girls and Kate walked in. I remember her hair... gorgeous is the only way to describe it. I was always a little jealous of her hair. I remember her smile and attitude. Everyone seemed a little happier just because she had entered the room. I always felt a little out of place at those NCL meetings as shy Alyson liked to creep in specifically around those people. That wasn't the case with Kate. She had a way of making me feel comfortable in any situation. I don't remember our conversation but I remember laughing and having a great time listening to her stories. I wanted to be friends with her.

It took a few years for me to actually be able to call her one of my close friends, but it happened. Praise God for Jonathan Appler. We had a very close knit group of friends, but it was completely unnecessary for Mrs. Appler to tell us to be nice to Kate as we all LOVED her already. Jon could not have chosen a better girlfriend. All of our gatherings were better with Kate. Her attitude and laugh lifted everyone's spirits, and it was obvious when she wasn't around.

One of my favorite memories is when we were getting ready for our National Charity League Senior Presentation. We had to take ballroom dancing lessons with our fathers at Arthur Murray dance studio. Our dads were a hoot. Every time Kate and I caught each other's eye we couldn't help but laugh. Thank you dad and Mr. McCook for being our entertainment that day. Senior Presentation was a very special time I got to share with her.

I could go on and on, but I will end with the joy and gratitude I feel for being able to call her my friend. Although a sadness to the point of numbness enters my heart when I think of the reality that I will never be graced with her presence on earth again, I am altogether thankful. Thankful that she has made me and our friends better people. I would have been a changed person just from being her friend when she was healthy, but her fight with cancer made at profound impact on me. Even when she told us of the extreme headaches, the way couldn't stand for long, and the never ending treatments and therapies she was never complaining. She always had a tone of thankfulness. Thankfulness that there was hope and thankfulness that people loved her. She fought with courage, joy, patience, and hope. In the midst of her sickness she was profoundly concerned when I had to spend time in the hospital... her selflessness in those moments humbles me and I pray will always humble me.

I thank God for the time Kate spent on earth. I thank God for McCook family.

I pray that we will learn from Kate. Live with courage, strength and hope. Be compassionate even in the midst of your own struggles.

Love you all,
aly