Kathy and Jerry were great neighbors it was wonderful to have friends our age in the neighborhood. Jerry was very timid, Kathy was the outgoing talkative type. That sounds very familiar!
From the day Kathy and I met it felt as if we`d been lifelong friends. I believe these are special friendship are gifts from God to fulfill needs in our lives. Kathy and I always took time to chat as we worked in our neighboring yards. She loved flowers and keep Jerry busy attending to their many flower gardens.
Kathy soon shared with me the pain and suffering she struggled with as a result of the sudden death of her 25 year old son Stephen. I could appreciate her pain because my family also experienced the sudden accidental death of my 15 year old brother, Robin, when I was 18.
During our friendship we also both cared for and lost our aging mothers. It was such a comfort to have someone to share and understand what we were going through.
Shortly after Kathy`s mother death she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Through out Kathy`s treatment and illness our bonds of love and friendship continued to bloom. I thank God for the love, support and courage that I witnessed in my wonderful neighbor. As her illness reached the terminal stage we spent hours sharing life`s up and down and what and where we both were in this stage of our life. I thank God that I was able to share this precious time with Kathy.
We openly discussed her death and her faith in God; she said that no matter what happened she would be a winner. She had a wonderful life here on earth but would soon be reunited with her cherished son, Steven and her beloved mother. I can only imagine that blessed moment!
Kathy`s life came to an end in the privacy of their home surrounded by friends and family of this beautiful child of God. Shortly before her passing I shared words of love and friendship as I gently prayed for my God given friend.
Thanks to Pastor Amy for the courage and support that allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and to" pray out loud for the first time" with someone.
Just days after Kathy`s death I walked in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Washington D.C. This time I not only honored the memory of my friend Shirley, but I walked with pride and dignity for my friend and neighbor Kathy Touchette.
A year or so Kathy`s death her husband Jerry` remarried, a young lady from Romania with 2 sons. Of course I made the neighborly visit to welcome his new bride but that was the extent of my congeniality. We wave as we`re coming and going however that`s the depth of our friendship.
How quickly five years have passed since Kathy`s death, however today the flood gate of memories was revisited. Gabby, Jerry`s wife came over today with a gift of homemade bread and stuffed peppers, she told my husband that she would like to talk to me went I returned home.
Across the yard I go, Gabby greeted me at the door, to my surprised she grabbed and hugged me. She said that she didn`t know, I had no clue what she was talking about! She then told me that she and Jerry had recently read that newspaper article about my evangelism efforts. In her broken Romanian accent she told me that she had some of Kathy`s book that she thought I might be able to use. Grabbing my hand she lead me to the basement to gather Kathy`s books about God, Faith, our christian walk and several bibles. One of the bibles was a gift to Steven from his mother!
Gabby told me that she had learned so much about Kathy and her life from reading these book. I was delighted hear this. I invited Gabby to come to church with us; she said she would like that. We joined hands and for the second time "I prayed out loud in my neighbor house". Why did it take me so long!!!!!!!!!!!!
Romans 5:5 The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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