Many of you know I lost my sister Kim to cancer several years ago and it's been a very hard journey for me as well as my entire family. Kim was not only my sister, but she was my best friend. We were so much alike, it was scary.
Kim found out she had cancer in June of 2003. It was then that she began keeping a journal of her battle with cancer. Every day she would write down everything she did that day, along with her thoughts and feelings. It also included a daily log the pills she took, the food she ate, her to do list, things she accomplished that day, etc. (she was anal like that). She ended up filling 4 spiral notebooks full of writings.
When she passed away in March of 2004, she asked me to take her writings and maybe turn them into a book one of these days. For the longest time, I couldn't even bring myself to open one of the notebooks. Every time I did, I would start crying and immediately have to put it away. The books stayed in a plastic bag in my closet for the longest time. A few months ago, I got the first one out again and started to read it. I did a lot better than I did the first time, however, it still sucked. I only managed to get through a few days worth then had to put it back in the bag.
Well, tonight I got the notebook out again and read some more. As I sat there reading her words, tears streamed down my face. The pain she was going through during that time was incredible, but you never would have known it because Kim hid alot of her pain. She was so strong during her battle and she had commented many times that she was bound and determined to beat this thing. To hear her say that she wasn't going to leave this world without seeing her daughter grow up, get married and have children just broke my heart.
Kim was an intellegent, beautiful person with a powerful love of art. Kim loved to draw and paint. According to her, art was a way she could escape the cancer world. Because when she was drawing or painting, she was happy.
Kim also loved her animals dearly. One of her journal entries written around Christmas 2003 said that she had just made Christmas stockings for each of her animals. At the time she had 4 cats and 2 dogs. She said each of the cats were going to get a can of tuna in the their stocking and the hounds (as Kim called them) were going to get a McDonalds hamburger. HAHA A lot of Kim's writings are about her precious cats and the mischief they would get into. She was definately a good cat mommy.
It doesn't seem fair that she left this world so soon. 34 is way too young to die! I stopped reading and I looked up at the picture of us together on my desk and I told her I loved her. I know she can't hear me, but that's how I feel. Life's just not fair....
I don't know if anyone can read Karin's blog about her sister and not get teary eyed. Growing up in the same neighbor hood, I knew Kim pretty well and I will never forget her. She had such a kind heart and was a very good friend to me. Sometimes life truly isn't fair and to lose someone like Kim is a definite tragedy. It breaks my heart that we lost touch after high school and I didn't get to be there for her. Kim was a very special woman and she will be missed!
I couldnt remember Kim by name But Jennifer White The lifesavor.showed me her picture in the year book, it all came back to me. She was a sweet heart.. a truly good hearted person. God Bless her family and rest her soul... You are missed Kim...
Looking back through everyone's pictures they have posted or sent to me there is always a quirky wry smile on Kim's face in each one of them. She was always trying to cheer someone up or be the life of the party.
Kim and I met in kindergarten. She was my best friend all the way through elementary and pretty much junior high. I do remember her and me getting our fishing poles, getting on our bikes and riding them to the Arkansas River to fish. We we inseparable. My mom and her mom still keep in touch. She did know how to make people laugh. I will always remember her and the great times we had as kids. Way too many stories to tell.
I'm proud to say that Kim was a friend of mine. I met her in the 6th grade through band. She stayed over my house a couple times in Junior High. Man was she good at Frogger. Remember Atari? She was so good at it no one in my family could beat her...but we tried until the wee hours of the night. I just remember a whole lot of laughing when Kim was around. She was truly one of the funniest people I have ever known. She could make a joke out of anything. We maintained our friendship in high school...with a few rocky patches (thanks to some guy). But my lasting memory is that we were friends. God Bless her and her family!
Stacy Koch (Narrin)
Truly one of the funniest people I've ever known. I could count on her to lift my spirits on a blah day. Gosh, I'm gonna miss her!Jacci Wilcockson (Carpio)
This is from Karin's Myspace.Many of you know I lost my sister Kim to cancer several years ago and it's been a very hard journey for me as well as my entire family. Kim was not only my sister, but she was my best friend. We were so much alike, it was scary.
Kim found out she had cancer in June of 2003. It was then that she began keeping a journal of her battle with cancer. Every day she would write down everything she did that day, along with her thoughts and feelings. It also included a daily log the pills she took, the food she ate, her to do list, things she accomplished that day, etc. (she was anal like that). She ended up filling 4 spiral notebooks full of writings.
When she passed away in March of 2004, she asked me to take her writings and maybe turn them into a book one of these days. For the longest time, I couldn't even bring myself to open one of the notebooks. Every time I did, I would start crying and immediately have to put it away. The books stayed in a plastic bag in my closet for the longest time. A few months ago, I got the first one out again and started to read it. I did a lot better than I did the first time, however, it still sucked. I only managed to get through a few days worth then had to put it back in the bag.
Well, tonight I got the notebook out again and read some more. As I sat there reading her words, tears streamed down my face. The pain she was going through during that time was incredible, but you never would have known it because Kim hid alot of her pain. She was so strong during her battle and she had commented many times that she was bound and determined to beat this thing. To hear her say that she wasn't going to leave this world without seeing her daughter grow up, get married and have children just broke my heart.
Kim was an intellegent, beautiful person with a powerful love of art. Kim loved to draw and paint. According to her, art was a way she could escape the cancer world. Because when she was drawing or painting, she was happy.
Kim also loved her animals dearly. One of her journal entries written around Christmas 2003 said that she had just made Christmas stockings for each of her animals. At the time she had 4 cats and 2 dogs. She said each of the cats were going to get a can of tuna in the their stocking and the hounds (as Kim called them) were going to get a McDonalds hamburger. HAHA A lot of Kim's writings are about her precious cats and the mischief they would get into. She was definately a good cat mommy.
It doesn't seem fair that she left this world so soon. 34 is way too young to die! I stopped reading and I looked up at the picture of us together on my desk and I told her I loved her. I know she can't hear me, but that's how I feel. Life's just not fair....
Steve Hill
I don't know if anyone can read Karin's blog about her sister and not get teary eyed. Growing up in the same neighbor hood, I knew Kim pretty well and I will never forget her. She had such a kind heart and was a very good friend to me. Sometimes life truly isn't fair and to lose someone like Kim is a definite tragedy. It breaks my heart that we lost touch after high school and I didn't get to be there for her. Kim was a very special woman and she will be missed!Jacci Wilcockson (Carpio)
These pictures are from Jennifer White. Thanks for sharing Jennifer.In memory of Kim White---atleast she will always be remembered as a young girl in our minds- forever young...
Lisa Heath (Currie)
I couldnt remember Kim by name But Jennifer White The lifesavor.showed me her picture in the year book, it all came back to me. She was a sweet heart.. a truly good hearted person. God Bless her family and rest her soul... You are missed Kim...Rayanne Griffin (Tobey)
Looking back through everyone's pictures they have posted or sent to me there is always a quirky wry smile on Kim's face in each one of them. She was always trying to cheer someone up or be the life of the party.Sherri Stephenson (Cowles)
Kim and I met in kindergarten. She was my best friend all the way through elementary and pretty much junior high. I do remember her and me getting our fishing poles, getting on our bikes and riding them to the Arkansas River to fish. We we inseparable. My mom and her mom still keep in touch. She did know how to make people laugh. I will always remember her and the great times we had as kids. Way too many stories to tell.Cristy Smith (Collum)
I'm proud to say that Kim was a friend of mine. I met her in the 6th grade through band. She stayed over my house a couple times in Junior High. Man was she good at Frogger. Remember Atari? She was so good at it no one in my family could beat her...but we tried until the wee hours of the night. I just remember a whole lot of laughing when Kim was around. She was truly one of the funniest people I have ever known. She could make a joke out of anything. We maintained our friendship in high school...with a few rocky patches (thanks to some guy). But my lasting memory is that we were friends. God Bless her and her family!