Goodbye, Sweet Friend...

My Dearest Krisann

 

I woke up yesterday to news that my dear friend, Krisann had passed. I had just turned on my cell phone, and fell into my bedroom chair, stunned to read the news. 

If you've followed my blog for any period of time, you'll know that Krisann and I became friends through Project Linus when we both lived in Florida. She and I then joined the Tuesday evening Paneras group, and spent a lot of time together. We used to joke that I was no longer one of the younger members of the group. She was the "kid".

She was Mom to Nathan, and at that time, wife to Tim. Tim is the one who sent the message to me. They had divorced years ago, and he had since remarried. After a series of sad events, Krisann had moved back to her home state of Massachusetts, and fallen in love with a great guy. 

We kept in touch via phone or FaceTime, and always shared a laugh and family news. I think I last spoke with her about two months ago, and just a few days ago, I'd added some crochet goodies (books and fibers) to a pile to send off to her. She had send a box of lovely gifts to me around my birthday. 

She started calling me "650" when we lived in Florida. I asked her why. Her reply was simply, "650 is DCL (my initials) in Roman numerals." Clever girl! The best I could do was call her "KA". 

Krisann had a wicked sense of humor, and a huge heart. She was a massage therapist with a gift for healing, and she frequently grew her beautiful dark hair to a healthy, long length, just so she could cut it all off and donate to Locks of Love. 

She was a bright light, extinguished much too soon. I thought about her and spoke with her all day yesterday. I cried. This was sudden, unexpected, and painful for all who loved her and are left behind.

I contacted many of our mutual friends to let them know she was gone. Friends who'd moved back to their home states and would have no way to know otherwise. The calls were cathartic as we talked about her, and then, through her, were able to catch up with each other's lives. Even in her passing, she shared a gift with each of us - the reminder to keep in touch, and tell each other how we feel about each other.

I'm going to miss her, but I know she rests in the arms of our Savior. I pray that she'll find the peace that so cruelly eluded her here on earth. 

Goodbye, sweet friend. Until I see you again...