Kimmie Comes to Kentucky!

Steve had emailed me around Thanksgiving asking if I would be up for company after the first of the year. He had wanted to give his wife, Kim, an airline ticket to come and see me. You see, after my diagnosis, Kim just wanted to "hug my neck, look me in the eyes, and tell me she loved me". Seemed like a wish easy enough to grant, so Steve played Santa and arranged everything. I don't recall ever being someone's Christmas present, but I liked it. *smile*

We were all in countdown mode and Kimmie finally arrived this past Friday. She must really love me because she left Florida to come to Kentucky in the dead of winter. It's been about ten years since we have seen each other face to face, but, as it is with friends, you don't have to see each other to know each other, and Kimmie and I know each other very well.

We met in Germany when our husbands were stationed there from 1995-1998. We were fast friends as both were very involved with PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) from the get-go. For me, finding church-related activities and seeking like-minded-church-attendees-who-could-be-my-friend, was very important at every duty station, but even more so in a country where you do not speak the language and the culture is so different.

Big Daddy drove me to the airport because, honestly, if I had to get to the Louisville airport by myself, I would still be driving around there, six days later. Even if I did make it to the airport, I would never find my way home, so Big Daddy just took me. We pulled up to the gate for arrivals and I went inside. I checked the board and the flight was on time. I went over to the escalator and waited to see my friend. We had been texting, so I knew she was on her way, yet, considering my "chemo brain" and knack for getting lost, confused, and so easily disoriented, I went ahead and asked some people...

"Did you just get in from the Tampa flight?"

"Yes, honey."

And so it went...I guess I asked about three people...maybe five. I don't know...I have chemo brain.

After I was convinced I was in the right place, I waited at the bottom of the escalator.

How big was this plane?

What is that, like, a bazillion people already??

C'mon!! Where is she?!?!?

Then, I saw her at the top of the escalator, a smile from ear to ear and we began to wave at each other like we hadn't seen the other one already. I was sure I wouldn't cry because I don't really cry anymore for some reason.

So, I cried.

She cried.

We cried and hugged and she looked me in the eyes and said she loved me and it was awesome.

And so began our visit and it was wonderful. One of the first things Kimmie said was that all she wanted to do was be with me, my family. That she was not interested in a tour of Kentucky or being entertained, she just wanted to be with us. How utterly cool is that?

Big Daddy drove and Kimmie and I sat in the back and just talked and talked and talked. that was basically the whole of what we did the rest of the time, too. Talk, talk, talk. It was so nice. We compared kid stories and husband stories and found out that we are both incredibly blessed with all life has to offer and God has blessed.

We reminisced and simply enjoyed one another's company. I never felt like I should be doing something or going somewhere for her to have a good time, and that was wonderful. If I needed to nap, which I did, she read a book or napped, too... If I felt like I needed to slow down, we slowed down. Kim went with me to my appointments and to run the kids hither and yon. At one point she suggested that my fatigue may be related to the chauffeuring as opposed to the radiation and chemo. LOL True!!

This morning we took Kimmie to the airport for her return flight to Tampa. It was a terrific visit and I enjoyed my time with her immensely. In her wisdom, Kim also left me a note warning me of satan's desire to ruin everything good that God has done and given to us. Kim says, as we proclaim God's goodness, we define the target on our back. So, so true...

Big Daddy calls Kimmie a "real" friend... I would have asked him what he meant exactly, but I already know, and he is right. A real friend... They are there when things get hard and they are there when your target is showing. They pray for you and they love you, faults and all. They don't just show up when things are good or easy or fun and they don't run away when things go bad. Real friends help you through your vulnerability instead of taking advantage of it.


If you have a real friend, hang onto them. Maybe call them or email them and tell them. You know, we put off an awful lot of stuff because we are convinced we don't have time to do them...and then, time is gone and the moment has passed. Trust me, you have the time to tell someone you love them or care about them or treasure their friendship. Don't wait. If you care deeply for someone, they should know. So go ahead and call...email...text... Let them know no matter how big the target may be, you have their back.


Kimmie, thanks for being my real friend. You are among tremendous company...for I am incredibly blessed with real friends... and to each of you, thank you and I love you.