Kathleen Reflects on the Good Old Days

GOOD MORNING

My name is Kathleen.

I am a friend of Sandy and Lynda's and I've known Sandy for almost 25 years. In fact, Mary and I lived with Sandy and Lynda during a significant part of the 1970's. When I think back on those times, I realize in many respects those were some of the best years of my life. For the first time in my life, I felt a true sense of family.

As I look at your faces, I am struck by how many of us are here today and how different we all are. All of you being here today are a great testament to Sandy. Sandy was a friend to many and meant a great deal to a lot of people.

I want to just say a few words about what Sandy meant to me and how she has touched my life.

MEETING SANDY

I met Sandy and our friend Mary at work in 1972.

Mary has been a dear and devoted friend of Sandy's, and Mary, I just want you to know how much I love you.

One of the first things that struck me about Sandy... in addition to her sunny outlook on life and how she loved to flirt with her friends.. was how non-judgmental she was.

She accepted people as they were and always made them feel comfortable and welcome, even if it was the first time she had met them.

Sandy was a very flexible person, who was always genuine and sincere.

I rarely saw Sandy get upset or lose her temper, but on those few and rare occasions that she did -- Watch out!

Years ago when we all lived together, Sandy was giving me a ride to work. For those of you who don't know me, I occasionally display brat-like tendencies, and on this particular day I wouldn't fasten my seat belt when Sandy asked me to. We got into a test of wills with Sandy refusing to move the car until I put on my seatbelt... and, as you can imagine, I lost that test of wills. I remember I could tell from the tone of Sandy's voice that she meant business and not to push. I also later realized that this was also an example of how Sandy was trying to take care me .... in spite of myself as she did often with many people.

SANDY AND LYNDA

I also want to say a few words say about Sandy and Lynda:

Mary and I were with Sandy the night she first met Lynda. Beginning that night, they formed an instant bond that grew into a loving partnership of 23 years.

Those of us who were fortunate to share in their lives and relationship experienced something special and unique.

In times when few relationships last, Sandy and Lynda had the type of relationship that so many of us long for.

They were always there for each other, supportive, kind and caring. They shared a passion for golf and a love for travelling together.

They built a warm and loving home, with their dogs Konrad and now Kelly, and opened their home to their friends and family.

Lynda, I want you to know how much I love you, and to thank you for letting me share in your and Sandy's life.

STORIES

I was trying to think of other stories that captured Sandy's essence, but there are so many and for some reason right now I can just think of one story that Sandy's sister Charlene recently told me about her and Sandy when they were young. They were at the playground at school and a bully was picking on Sandy-- hitting her over the head with a pencil, and Charlene came over and tried to protect her sister, only to end up getting beat up herself for the effort.

The bully this last time was cancer. Sandy fought hard to beat it, with the help of Lynda, and Charlene and all of her friends. She was brave throughout and, characteristic of Sandy, she tried to cheer us up, and comfort us during her ordeal.

Sandy lost her battle, and none of us can protect her anymore. But we can keep her close to our hearts and cherish her spirit and her memory.

WE ARE BLESSED

I had the gift of knowing Sandy and having her as a dear friend and a member of my chosen family for all of my adult life.

Some of you have known her longer, and some for only a short time. But I think we all share one thing in common: our lives are better and richer for knowing Sandy --

We are blessed with her memory and while her loss is more painful than I can ever have imagined, I will find comfort by drawing on those memories -- and reliving Sandy's smiles, her laugh and her winks.

I know that Sandy would want for all of us to celebrate her life and honor her memory by making the most of each day of our lives.

By taking nothing for granted when it comes to our friends, our families and our partners.

She'd want us to all have candle-lit dinners, and cozy evenings by the fire, and gatherings of friends around to watch the Redskins play.

Part of Sandy will always be with me as I do these things. I am a better person for having known Sandy, and I am truly blessed to have her in my life.

THANK YOU SANDY FOR BEING A KIND AND GENTLE FRIEND. I LOVE YOU.... Your friend, Kathleen.