My friend Katie

I first met Katie about 15 years ago when both of us worked as hostesses at Laurel Restaurant in San Diego. It was a mind numbing job and it was always a treat to work with Katie. We would pass the time talking about boys, cracking jokes, and trying to get free meals from our bosses (we were both starving students). Katie and I both shared a love of music, clothing, dance, and all things lovely. Aside from going to watch bands in dive bars and going to clubs, Katie was a part of some more important times in my life. She was my brother’s “date” and our step-brother’s wedding (she made him look good!). She was there the day I married my wonderful husband, and she went on a two week backpacking trip to Italy with me. It was that time with Katie that stands out most in my mind…

Knowing that I can be such a control freak, Katie allowed me to plan the entire Italy trip. However, I did not plan on the airline leaving our luggage in the states! I was dying knowing that I would not have access to my “stuff”. However, Katie was very calm about the whole thing, which was so typical of Katie! My biggest wish on our Italy trip was to take a romantic Vespa ride with some cute Italian boys. Well, the night we had out luggage returned to us, that is exactly what we did! The only unfortunate part was that the hostel we were staying at had a curfew and we were locked out. We actually had to sneak into the Italian boys’ houses (they still lived with their parents) to have somewhere to sleep. Towards the end of our trip, we decided to take a hike through Cinque Terre. We were both thinking the walk would be quite leisurely; however, it was anything but! The terrain was very rugged and I was overdressed and carrying a huge purse. I was so hot and cranky that I didn’t care that Katie was afraid of heights. Strangers had to hold her hand through the trails. I can honestly say that I felt guilty for leaving her behind on those trails to this day. Fortunately for me, Katie was always willing to forgive me when I messed up as a friend.

Sadly, I moved to Las Vegas after that trip and I only got to see Katie a couple of times after that. I was so happy to know that Katie was in love and in good hands with David. Katie had been through some difficult times in the past and it was reassuring to know that she had found the love and happiness she so deserved. I had also become a mom and could tell that Oscar brought a whole new kind of love into her life. Her dedication to being the best mom she could be was inspirational.

I have to admit that I’ve had a difficult time understanding how such a wonderful person could be taken from us at such a young age. The only explanation I can come up with is that God wanted her by his side in heaven. In any case, I will always have wonderful memories of Katie. My heart goes out to her family. I hope you find peace in knowing how loved your daughter, niece, wife, and mother was.

I think this poem by one of Katie’s favorite author’s sums up the impact the love from David and Oscar made in Katie’s life.

 

Touched by An Angel by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

 

I love you Katie!

Charity Cox Barczyszyn