Last week my friend Kim lost a very long battle of many illnesses. It began about 20 years ago and continued throughout her life. She was diagnosed with several illnesses along the way, was in a coma more than once and was in pain most days. Yet, she kept smiling, laughing and telling jokes. She was, and will forever be, an inspiration to me.
She was the most dedicated mom, wife and daughter I have ever known. Her husband Greg and children Drew and Megan were her inspiration to keep fighting. And fight she did until her last breath.
Kim gave it her all every day and pushed her body until it could not keep going. She did it all for her family. She did not want to miss any days with them. Her children were her pride and joy and Greg was her source of strength.
I met Kim in high school when she began dating my classmate, Greg. She went to Westfield High and we went to St. Mary’s and as silly as it sounds, we were a little leery of an “outsider” joining us. But, Kim fit right in. The first time I met her was when Greg brought her to a semi-formal dance. He had told me about her and when we met, we clicked. Kim clicked with many people because of her infectious laughter and silly and sometimes irreverent humor. Greg could be a bit shy and she brought out the best in him. They were together from the day they met and their love grew stronger every single day.
Kim and Greg were the couple other couples aspired to be. They were true soulmates who complimented each other. When Kim was diagnosed with her first chronic disorder she had two young children and Greg held them all together. He will tell you she held him together. She wanted to be there for her kids and she was, even throughout numerous hospital stays and bad days.
Kim and I kept in touch over the years and had an annual Fall Day to celebrate our favorite time of year, which usually included lunch at Soup’s On and an exchange of Halloween gifts. I recently found a bunch of letters she wrote to me when I was away at college and with every word, I was laughing. She knew how to lift people up — even if it was with a story about something ridiculous that always included a swear or two — or 10!
She and Greg leaned on each other, always. Kim had a multitude of medical challenges and Greg, a city firefighter, developed Parkinson’s. And still, they smiled and held tight to each other and were an example of strength and love for their family and friends and anyone they met.
She was dedicated not only to Greg and their kids, but to her friends — especially Julie and April – and her parents, who lived close by. Not long ago it wasn’t unusual to see Kim on her scooter walking a dog heading to her parents’ house. And she may or may not have been on her cell phone.
Kim was fierce. She was a warrior. She was a comedian. She was a lover of the beach and 80s rock and animals. She was my friend and I will miss her and will always think of her strength when I think I can’t do something, and smile when I hear our song, “Jessie’s Girl.”
I hope Kimmy is at rest and rocking out with Eddie Van Halen and if they are, I’m quite sure she is making him laugh.
Rest easy, my friend — no one deserves rest more than you.
