Some of you know this story, some do not. Katherine Wilson was a friend of mine from my North Carolina group. I first knew her through my camp friend Elizabeth Bender. We lived together briefly - in the summer where six of us ventured off to Wilmington and got odd jobs for the summer. Elizabeth, Katherine, and Allison were roommates at UNC and the best of friends. Katherine even made it down for a Mtn. Day one year, after I promised the girls they had never seen anything so strange as the Grand March. She was smart, funny, thoughtful- truly beautiful inside and out. She even made sure we were all ok at Mardi Gras- despite her own inebriation. She first learned she had a rare form of cancer while in graduate school for nursing at 22. After a long battle with cancer she passed away last winter 2005 at 28 years of age. We all hated to lose her but are glad that she no longer has to fight her painful and draining battle. The following card and gesture is in memory of her, and I wanted to pass it along. She would have been 29 this November 3rd.
Card contents- Butterflies for Katherine's Birthday
Dear Friends,
As you may remember, when Katherine began brain radiation her hair first came out on the back of her head in the shape of a butterfly. When her hair started to grow back, it grew out in the butterfuly area first as shown in her photo. The butterfly became a symbol of hope for Katherine and for us.
We thought it would be special for each of you to join with us as we remember her 29th birthday on Thursday, November 3rd, by wearing the enclosed butterfly. We miss her so much but we are thankful she no longer has to suffer. She was a truly amazing blessing in our lives. As Ann Stegall put it so beautifully, "God has plans that we will never be privy to, but God knew exactly what he was doing when he sent Katherine to touch all of our lives."
With love,
Anne and John (her parents)
*If you happen to have a butterfly pin, sticker, picture, etc. and also want to wear it in Katherine's memory this week send me a picture. Her family loves the ripple effect of friendship. Loves. Mary Ellen
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