Four years ago today you woke to
face the world, to battle all those same obstacles we all face and to make
sense of life. Four years ago today our
mom called you to wish you a happy birthday and to tell you that she loves
you. Four years ago today you had
friends that called you, texted you, emailed you to celebrate such an amazing
woman. Four years ago today would be the
last two weeks of your life.
I didn’t call you this day four
years ago, I didn’t write, I didn’t send a card, nor did I even remember that
it was your birthday. Had I’d known that
you would not have another, I would have driven to where you were and with so
many others, given you the best birthday ever!!
I would have showered you with love and affection that you deserved and
made sure that you knew in every part of your being that you were loved by
me. I would have asked for forgiveness
for the words and my actions that offended you, for being a pain in the butt
brother, for being selfish and most of all for being prideful. If I had only known... 
Today I write to you, I’ll bake a
cake and place a candle on it. I’ll
toast you and spend time with friends who will do the same. Today I’ll think of the ways that you touched
me, changed me and affected my path in this life. Today I’ll tell someone about you and how you
touched so many lives both in the Navy, at church and as a volunteer. Today I will remember the fun times we
shared, the sad times when we cried, the crazy times that don’t need to be
mentioned…. 
Today I will tell others “I Love You” as often
as possible and take every opportunity to hug someone. Today I see how important life is, how short
it is and how valuable each person is in our life. Today my heart is open to others, to being hurt
and to being loved. Today, I will share
your story with someone else as I continue to add value to your life and
death. Today I see that had I just
shared with you my own struggles, you may not have died. Today I will try and live this day and every
day as if it were my most important day, to hold close those I love, to share
with others, to try and make a difference in a single life, because….one of
these days it will be MY last day and my last birthday.
February 23rd is your
birthday, like so many people I know who have had a loved one die, it is an
important date in my life now. Before
your death it wasn’t, but it will forever be so now. I wish I could fill you in on all the beauty
I’ve seen in the past several months of my life, all the amazing things that I’ve
experienced and all the wonderful people I have in my life. Since your death my life has changed so much
and I’ve come to spend my life in a way that helps others and in service to
God. I wish I could share with you these
beautiful things I see all around me. 
Your life and your death have
touched so many lives Kim. There have
been families mended, lives saved and value added to so many. Not only do I morn your death today, but also celebrate
your life. I want others to see that
there is beauty in not only your life, but also your death and I think many
do. So Kim, today I will live… Today I
will give… Today I will sing… Today I will embrace life… Today I will Love…
Happy Birthday Sister….
My birthday song to you...
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