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GOODBYE MY SWEET ANGEL

Monday, December 5, 2022

As many of you know who read my blog, my precious daughter Katy has been quite ill for some time.

On November 5 a beautiful light went out in this world. My amazing, loving, wonderful daughter Katy flew away with the angels.


She left peacefully the way she wanted with her sister and lifelong best friend Cary and me by her side. Katy touched so many people in her time here on earth and fought bravely through an almost lifelong illness.

Her loss will be felt by so many, but her love and bravery should be a beacon to all of us.

I miss my sweet girl, more than she could possibly ever know, but I know she is somewhere resting peacefully now.


One of Katy's friends wrote this about her.

Dear Katy,

In this time of grief, it is too hard for me to assemble a message that does you justice, but I want to write you something now. You share a few of your many titles: artist, aunt, actress, poet and dreamer. While you were wonderful in all of your roles, you were much more than any title could convey.

You absolutely adored your family and took ultimate joy in your close relationships with them. You were a sincere friend with whom I could talk for hours or sit in silence with understanding. Your thoughts and passions were informed and insightful, and you communicated these with eloquence, tact, and sensitivity, infused with your sweet right-on humor. You advocated for what mattered and what was in everyone's best interests. You were the strongest and bravest person I knew and fought Primary Immunodeficiency and its complications with grace while spreading awareness. You were gentle, but resolute and inspired higher standards for all of us with your values and dignity. You were exceptionally talented and made far-reaching impacts on this world, with your expressions, advocacy, and in your relationships. Your beauty inside and out was one of a kind. Everything you were and did was a work of art - a masterpiece - that will live forever.

Simply put, you were too good for this world, too often full of injustice and pain, of which you had an undo share. Yet you cherished all of the good you could find, illuminating the beauty in life for us all.

I won't say goodbye but will learn what this new phase of communication will be like. Katy, my irreplaceable friend I hope you know you will be a part of my life in countless memories and in my heart forever.

Love you always,

Kelly


I heard from so many people who talked about how Katy touched their lives. She had a unique ability to really listen.

Katy fought so hard for so many years, but in the end, she knew her fight was over and her thoughts were for her family and how it would hurt us that she was leaving.

The day before she passed I told her I loved her and she whispered I love you too. That was the last thing she said to me.


Cary found this poem Katy left on her phone.

When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it's over, I want to say all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world
Mary Oliver
When Death Comes

Katy worked hard to raise money for the Immune Deficiency Foundation so that new treatments would help young people to not have to suffer the way she did.

At the end of her life, the money we raised was one of the things that brought her joy.

If you are able and feel it in your heart I would love it if you could donate to IDF for Katy Walker

I will continue to take time off from blogging but hope to come back some in the new year.

Comments

  1. Oh I know you are going through a terrible time of sadness. What a beautiful young lady...beautiful through and through. I'll keep your family in my prayers and send you all my love, Diane

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  2. Oh, Laura, my heart breaks to read this news. Your precious Katy sounds like she left an indelible mark of goodness on this earth. May her memory forever be a blessing to you. Sending you and your family love and comfort at this time. It is my honor to make a donation in Katy's memory.

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  3. The pain in your heart is unbearable and for that I am so sorry. I know it is hard at times to take a deep breath to keep going but I know Laura you will in honor of Katy. Her time was short here on this earth but she touched so many in such profound ways. I know it does not feel right to have our children leave this world before we do but I know some day you will reunite and you do not have to think of her as gone forever but just for a time. My heart hurts for you. I am glad you could reach out and share this with all of us. Prayers for strength when you need it most. Time does have a way of making the sadness and pain more tolerable. I wish that for you and I pray for you each day sweet friend. May the angels wrap their arms around you and whisper sweet things from Katy in your ear. She will always be part of you. Again Laura so sorry for this great loss. With love and hugs. Kris

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  4. Oh my goodness, Laura, I am so, so very sorry to hear this news. Katy was such a bright light. Please know that I'm thinking of you, my friend, and keeping you and your family in my heart and in my prayers. xxoo

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  5. Dearest Laura, I heard of Katy's passing through Kris at Junk Chic Cottage. I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter. I am holding you close in my heart and prayers.

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  6. Hello, I come by way of my long-time blogger friend Kris from Junk Chic Cottage. I think that Mary Oliver, the poet who wrote this powerful expression of courage sums it up. Your daughter not only visited this world but I'm suspecting by the testimony of all who knew her, she relished every moment, she loved every second, she left her mark. May all of us do the same. I wish you peace as you navigate this difficult journey of loss. Anita

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  7. Dear Laura, I heard of your Katy's passing from Kris at Junk Chic Cottage. I am holding you in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.

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  8. I am so very, very sorry for your loss.
    Brenda

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  9. Dear Laura,
    I am visiting from Kris at Junk Cottage, I am praying for you and your family.
    Carla

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  10. This is a beautiful and heart wrenching post. I am so very sorry for the loss of your amazing daughter. I, too, came over from Junk Chic Cottage, though it took me a while because I knew it was going to be hard. Blessings to you and your family as you find your way through this difficult journey of loss and remembrance

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  11. I wish you peace and comfort at this difficult time - What a lovely tribute from her friend!

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  12. Dear Laura, I found your sad news from Kris and am carrying a heavy heart for you at this time. I know the sadness of losing a child and by looking at your beautiful Katy, I would say my son was about the same age at his passing. It has been a few years now and even though his loss will be strongly felt forever more time does heal. She sounds like a wonderful daughter and person, a strong and loving young woman. I know she will live on in your heart and in those who knew and loved her..xxoJudy

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  13. I am so very sorry, Laura. Prayers for you and your family.

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  14. I understand your sadness, we lost our daughter in June. We are trying so hard to fill the void. We are not celebrating this Christmas, we try, then the grief becomes too much. This year we will rest, pray, and try our best to move on. I just can not pretend to be okay anymore. We are taking time to be quiet, listen and rebuild our broken hearts. Prayers for your healing to be one of comfort and peace. ~jackiesee~

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  15. I am SO SO sorry for the loss of your sweet beautiful daughter. I meant and wanted to comment sooner, but just couldn't find words of comfort, as I too lost a child 13 years ago. Like you said, their life was like a bright shining light...that went out....and no words could comfort me. I am just so sad and sorry. You have been on my mind so much, but the words just wouldn't come. I know the deep pain such a loss brings. She sounds like she was an amazing woman, and even with her illness was able to accomplish so much here on earth and touch many other lives! You have been in my prayers. Some days, the pain is just as great for me after 13 years. Others, I can rest knowing he is beside me until one day I'll be able to hug him again and hear his laughter. That is what I know, will get you through. Sending hugs...Marilyn

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