When I woke up this morning, I went and swam. It is the first time I have swam since my Chelan swim for Katelyn. It was laughable how long one mile seemed given the fact that my last swim was 50 times that much, but I needed to swim today, as swimming usually helps me sort things out in my head. As I was swimming, I couldn't help but think what an extraordinary person Katelyn was, not just extraordinary for a child, but even in comparison to adults. I feel lucky to have been able to know her and her wonderful family. I think we can all learn a few things from Katelyn and how she lived her life.
1) Smile every opportunity you have. I remember the slide show that was playing at KK's Kupcake fundraiser this spring. I specifically recall how every single photo of her had her smiling. It didn't matter if it was a hospital photo or not, she had a million dollar grin. And every time I saw her in person, she was one of the happiest kids I have ever met. As I told many people after I met Katelyn, you'd never know she had cancer if it wasn't told to you, she didn't behave like a sick kid; she was just an amazing little bundle of positive energy.
2) Live every minute to the fullest. I cannot imagine the pain that Katelyn endured during the course of her treatment and her long battle with her disease, but she still was a happy little girl. Although I was not there during any of Katelyn's hospital stays, I followed Grandma Pat's caringbridge posts closely and it seemed that whenever she was able, Katelyn was on the move and having fun. She lit up every situation I saw her in. During the swim, Katelyn had come out to the support boat with Jaime right after a bit of a breakdown I had, and the moment she arrived the energy changed. She had everyone on the boat laughing and smiling. She correctly identified and called my brother-in-law, who was driving the boat, "trouble," she turned the boat into a makeshift beauty parlor and did my sister's hair and as I swam I watched her sitting with her little face peering over the side of the boat smiling at me as she watched me swim. Katelyn didn't just mope around and feel sorry for herself, which is something many adults going through far less significant hardships tend to do. No not Katelyn, she really lived her life.
3) Life is precious and fragile. I think we all from time to time tend to take life for granted. We have many things that fill our days with worry, and most of those things really don't matter. The truth is no one has any guarantees. None of us know when our last day will come. So let Katelyn remind you. Don't sweat the small stuff. Let the people you care about know how important they are to you. Smile. Be happy and grateful for the time that you do have.
Katelyn, you were such an amazing girl; I will never forget you. I loved getting to know you and your family. You are the toughest girl I've ever known and you will always be such an inspiration to me. Scope out Heaven for the biggest lake you can find and one day we can swim it together!
~Emily
