Ten of us found chairs, loveseats, floorspace and recliners and stayed the night with Kathy at hospice. She was ashen and her breathing was irregular with scarily long pauses. Her pupils were tiny pinpoints. Some have told us that she is already gone and it is just the mechanics of her body, slowly ending what it has done so well these last 60 short but amazing years.
We slept fitfully thinking surely someone would shake us awake to be with Kathy at her last moments... but she continues to surprise us. She continues on.. just a little longer.
We thank you for your love. You out there who are reading and keeping your own vigils. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, poems, videos, kindness and once again love.
We have felt your love. It has been a extraordinary experience watching Kathy leave but feeling the tendrils of the community reaching forward in every direction to help us help Kathy. We have had to make several calls to people we don't know or barely know and they have often said something like...."I love you all even though I don't know you."
How lucky are we to be living in Gainesville with so much love around. As Kathy often said in the last few weeks, "there are no words to describe it."
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We thank our higher powers for Kathy's presence in our lives, for the light and inspiration and wisdom she has imparted to us. We pray for the enduring strength and comfort of Kathy's friends and family as she passes. How wonderful to have such a community of souls. Love to all of you.
ReplyDeleteFlo and I are sharing our prayers for Kathy's peaceful passing to those mysterious places that await us all.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that the green grounds will be available for Kathy's physical remains; another step for her legacy in leading this community with wisdom in conservation.
There is nothing that can contain her spirit and soul but we all have known her love.
This afternoon I watched 20 some kites, mississippi and swallow-tailed, as they soared, floated, and danced over some classic Florida rolling hills, and thought of Kathy and her freedom soon to be flying too.
Helen and Flo
I am there with you, all of my lovely long time friends, every day and every hour and can never thank you enough, Shirley, Carol, Randy and Julie, for this amazing and graceful blog. I love and miss all of you, so often. Leave it to the G'ville girls to take a tragedy and turn it into a loving, spiritual "happening."
ReplyDeleteSally Ringo