Well, I'm finally gathering enough courage to post something.  For those of you who were unable to attend the memorial in San Diego, I just want to tell you a little about it. About 45 people gathered together to honor and celebrate Katie's life. We had the gathering in the afternoon and everyone brought amazing food that was inspired by Katie. One of Katie's aunt Laurie's friends painted a beautiful portrait of Katie that was on display and there were picture slide shows set to music. We gathered around to watch the slide shows and laughed, cried and held each other, all the while reliving and holding onto our precious memories of Katie from over the long years. Several people got up to say beautiful words, read poems written specifically for and about Katie, and tell funny stories from her childhood. After the gathering we went out onto the boat to spread her ashes in the sea. It had been rainy for a couple days, but right as we were heading out to sea, the rain stopped and we had a tremendous sunset. As the boat anchored, we looked back to shore and there was a huge, bright rainbow arching over the  land. It was truly spectacular and took our breath away. We all felt Katie there with us. Her ashes were lowered into the sea in a basket with rose petals, some people said some more words, and we toasted her with champagne. It was a beautiful memorial and a true testament to Katie and how many lives she impacted and how much she was loved and cherished.

 

These are the words I wrote for the service in London, and I read them at the service in San Diego as well.

 

"Our dear sweet Katie, where do I even begin? Words simply can't convey what a tremendous loss we have all endured.

 

The closeness of our group of friends is unique and truly special. We have shared life's colorful adventures, weathered many storms, basked in each others joys and wept with each others sorrows. We have celebrated college graduations, marriages, births and emerging careers. We have been each others strongest support systems through failed relationships, the loss of loved ones and life's unexpected curve balls. We supported, loved and nurtured one another through our turbulent twenties and have blossomed into healthy, confident women in our thirties. And I can honestly say that we wouldn't be who we are today without what we have given to each other.

 

This world and our lives will not be the same without Katie's kind, gentle spirit. Her grace, her beauty, her charm are unparalleled. Katie blessed us all with the gift of her friendship, with her uncanny ability to be there for us exactly the way we needed her to be, with her thoughtfulness and compassion, with her joy and exuberance, and with her loyalty and honesty. She brought dance into our lives, she enriched us with her passion for French language and culture, and she inspired us to be better people and better friends.

 

Katie was a very special sparkling light in our lives. She truly shone most brightly as a loving, devoted wife and mother, radiating peace and happiness. I struggle everyday to believe and accept that she's gone. My sadness is soothed by my beautiful memories, and for those I am grateful I have so many. I'll mostly remember her infectious laughter and will always see her in the smile of her son.

 

Our dear sweet Katie, you are so terribly missed and so sincerely loved. I would rather suffer this awful loss and have known, loved and been loved by you than to not have known you at all. You will forever live within our hearts and souls and we will forever carry on your legacy." 

 

~Jessica