One year ago we lost a mother, sister and best friend. Our lives have been sadder since then. Somehow the sun isn't quite as bright, the sky isnt quite as blue and the gardenias don't smell the same. We have a whole in our hearts that won't ever seem to heal. It seems as if life will never be the same. But that is not how our beloved Kate would want us to be. Kate would remind us of all the good times and incredible moments that we shared together. Kate would tell us all that she lived a good life and though she was not ready to leave us that we must continue to live life to the fullest with no regrets as she would. We must fly, unbound by grief, sorrow or questions of why. Kate would tell us to be happy and to remember her with a smile on our face and not tears on our cheeks. We all have feelings of, If only or Why didnt I or I should have. As hard as it is we cannot become trapped by our feelings that we somehow failed Kate. It's hard I know but our Kate was not one to be pushed or forced into doing something that she did not want to do, for any reason. Kate did however, love us all unconditionaly and that love has not been lost. It's just different. I cannot fully explain the feelings I had when Kate's spirit left her body. Nobody told me that Kate was gone, I knew. There was a feeling of being touched and comforted. There was a feeling of overwhelming peace. Kate was at peace knowing that she was now free in ways we cannot understand. There was a feeling that everything would be alright and that Kate would be with us always. Everything will be alright, Kate's spirit told me so. Kate was my best friend, mother of two incredible sons, sister to Jody and Kris and best friend to Ilene, Beth us all. No matter what the relationship is, Kate loved us. Kate loved us without regret and with all her heart. Kate still loves us and will be part of our lives forever. We miss our girl but we will always have Kate's spirirt watching over us with her head thrown back, hair sailing and that magical smile. We have lost a special person but we will always have Kate and we are all better because of her. I love you guys