A year ago today, Kait had a stroke that changed everything. Still having a hard time believing that a year has gone by since that heart-pounding day.
I received a call at 4AM that she was at the Picton Hospital so I raced from Belleville to be with her. She was able to talk and was her usual optimistic, determined self. We had to then drive to the Belleville Hospital for CT scans. I am choking up remembering how I felt when cars pulled off to the side of the road on Highway 62 in both directions as we followed the ambulance with sirens blaring. I still cry every time I meet an ambulance on the road as I pull over along with other cars to let it go by and say a little prayer for the person & their loved ones.
Her Dad, Michael, and I along with our family, thank you all for your continued loving support as we continue to wrestle with a life without our sunshiny, bright beautiful Kait on this planet. I wrote a poem to mark this day. It’s my way of trying to find solid ground on key days that shake my very foundation. XO
Once again you have expressed yourself so beautifully. So much love has always surrounded this exceptional young lady. Thinking of you today and sending hugs. Much love my friend.
Thank you, Sharon – she was exceptional in so many ways – which makes me miss her even more exceptionally. Feelings your warm loving hugs – back to you XO
Tom and I send our love. The poem you wrote says it all. Feel the love and support that surrounds you.
Was thinking about you both today – you have been so loving and always reaching out, never giving up on me in my need to cocoon. Thank you – sending love and grateful thanks for you both in my life XO
My thoughts are with you ❤️
Thank you, Connie – appreciate you reaching out XO
Oh that’s beautiful, Jeanette.
I, too, choke up at every ambulance I see, knowing someone is fighting a battle, and send out prayers for safe travels and thanks to those great paramedics. I’m sure people were praying for Kait as they pulled over that day.
Thinking of you often; and oddly enough, I was just humming “Turn To Him” just mere moments ago.
Big hugs to you. XO
[PS – in your poem where you said “cease the day”, did you mean to say “seize the day”? It’s the old stenographer coming out of me. Haha]
Thanks, Michelle – I know you know that feeling. And I know so much more how you felt at the time you were by your son’s side as he fought for his life. Turn to Him indeed – I wouldn’t be able to move a millisecond forward if it wasn’t for my faith. As for you say seize/I say cease – Freudian slip I think! I have changed it now as you can see. Big hugs back to you my friend XO
Lovely. So true of life and of the things in it that go skidding off the rails.
She lives in all of us and her warrior skills guide us forward.
Skidding off the road with no brakes and no more road! She was a warrior indeed – and her light shines on
Beautifully written my friend. So much emotion, it tears me apart but also inspires me to be thankful for everything God has blessed me with. Thinking of you and sending prayers and love your way.
Thanks, Vic. Yes – if anything, be more grateful than ever for your blessings. And hug your children even closer for me. XO
So touching and heartfelt.
Blessings
Thanks for your kind message, Tony – appreciate your friendship.
Beautifully written and as always, felt by anyone who reads this. Lifting you up Jeanette. I love you dear friend. xoxoxo
Thanks, Corinne – I especially appreciate your prayers XO
This is such a wonderful poem, Jeanette and so very true.
You have said it all so well.
I remember that horrible morning so vividly !
Here is a quote I came across this morning
“The magnitude of life can feel overwhelming.
Angels are here to help us trust it
Peace by Peace”
(Lavande Waters)
Blessings & much love
🌟💜❤️🌟💜❤️🌟
Thanks, Norma – beautiful quote. You always find the perfect ones. XO
As the anniversary date of our loss comes closer, Feb. 3/1990
we were just reminiscing of good times with our Ben. Keep
bringing the best of times with your beautiful Kait forward. 💜 ML
Sending you hugs Mom to Mom, Michelle XOXO
Oh Jeanette, my heart aches for you. When I read your comments, I tear up as I still shed a tear (since my Dad passed away 8.5 years ago) when I meet ambulances and like you, I bow my head down to say a little prayer for that patient and their family. Loosing someone you truly love is never easy and your daughter was certainly your ray of sunshine (which you can totally see why), for all who knew her were truly blessed. Your poem touched my heart also, words can never ease the pain, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Your angel is always with you and she was truly blessed to have such a loving Mother as you are. God Bless and sending you a big warm hug to help ease your sorrow on this darkened day 🙏🏻💔
Thanks for your message, Darlene. We both understand the pain of loss of a loved one – a pain we will carry to the end of our days. XO
Oh and then there are days you open the wrong door and get stuck in the whirlwind. When that happens, call a Ruth. We’ll hold on together in the whirlwind until it’s safe to close the door again.
You are so right Virginia – well said. We are blessed to have each other and each our own Ruths. Sending you BIG Mom to Mom hugs as I know your pain is as raw as mine right now XO
Along the way, God sends you angels, people who become HIS HANDS TO help you continue your way to GOD. I love your heartfelt poem. Thank you my dear, dear friend. Micheline and Leo.
Was thinking of you today my dear friend – thank you for reaching out and for your continued love & support. Sending you and Leo much love and many prayers always XO
Jeanette, what a beautiful detication to Kait. As I read your poem, I have a big lump in my throat. She was such a beautiful girl gone way too soon. Sending love to you on this hard day. Love you!! XO 💜💜💜
Merci ma belle cousine – she was a beautiful soul inside & out. And gone to soon indeed. I appreciate your loving support all along this hard journey XO
Tellement un beau message Jeanette. It must be so hard to find the courage every day. Je t’admire beaucoup.
Bob Marley said “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have”. So true. As I always say – thank God for God.
You continue to be in my thoughts ,Jeanette.
Hopefully we will get together for a walk and coffee when weather is gentler. You are not forgotten.
Looking forward to our walk and cuppa tea in the gentler weather and sitting out on your beautiful deck overlooking mother nature in her full splendour. Thank you for your loving support all along
Very true and simply heart felt
Thank you for sharing such depth
Peace is my wish to you
Garnished with lots of love and healing strength
Your bro who cares
Merci mon cher frère Pierre – you have been a lifeline and a true Christian soldier picking me up when I fall down. I so appreciate our numerous in-depth chats and spiritual sharing – love you XO
It is hard to believe one year has passed. I am glad that you are keeping Kait’s memory alive by reminding us about what a remarkable person she is. Glad I found this page.
Thanks for your lovely loving comment. Be blessed.
Jeanette,
I am in tears at this poem. I can’t process that a year has gone by since that day either- There isn’t a day I don’t think about Kait. One step at a time, right?
T
Sending you a big hug dear Tanya. One step a time indeed. One tear at a time. Sometimes a bucketful at a time. X
Thanks for the gift of an inspiring poem. Even when times are so tough you give to others. Stay strong. Love Reeva
Need my Reeva hug. Let’s connect X
Dearest Jeanette,
Hearing an ambulance still gets my heart racing and I breathe love to and through myself and then out to the world.
Thank-you for your enduring love — for Kait, for each of us, for yourself as you continue to walk this challenging path with presence, courage, love and grace.
Your poem touches my heart and I will go back to it many more times, especially as the anniversary of baby Henry’s death arrives each year.
Much, much love and gratitude for your presence in my life and in the world my friend.
We know each other’s pain and we lift each other up in understanding loving hugs. Time for tea my friend – let’s make that happen X
Beautiful poem Jeanette! You will always be in my 💜.
You have been one of my loving lifelines my friend X
Would you consider allowing me to write a song for you based on your poem?
If you don’t know my music two pieces are on YouTube: my “In Flanders Fields” and “Jesous Ahatonhia” performed by Colleen Galway and myself
Nice to hear that the poem moves you to write music to it – please send me a link to what it inspires you to write, David. Be blessed.
What a beautiful way to remember your daughter gone way too soon. xo
Thank you, Renee. I miss her so much. xo
loveliest Jeanette,
a lovely poem saturated with hope and life and love despite the deepest sorrow.
heartbeat to heartbeat,
shauna
Balm & beauty – I like that….look forward to our time together to share our Kait memories. XO