A few days ago, a friend of mine sent me an email that had pics of Katie Kirkpatrick. I was deeply moved by the photo captions and went on to google her name and discovered lots about this young lady.
It made me think about life - its brevity, in sharp contrast to how love is infinity...
Yes, I am a dreamer. I am one of those who believe that when a person falls in love, it is for always, forever and that somewhere on this planet is someone who is predestined to love each one of us forever and is able to bring out the best in each one of us and to guide, nurture and envelope us with so much love. Sometimes, one may not meet/marry the love of his/her life and to a certain extent, it can be a tragedy because life would be so different if married to THE ONE. Nonetheless, if married to anyone else, one may or may not be happy and satisfied or fulfilled even if they are, it would be in different ways and lesser degrees, nothing compared to how happy or fulfilled they would have been if married to their to their true love.
Yet, if we consider Hollywood and Bollywood romances/marriages and even those in the upper echeleons of society, some spend a whole lifetime looking for the one they love, getting tired/bored/sick of one love after another, largely because they have yet to find their true love and/or perhaps they do not understand the meaning of love and may not know how to love or even how to receive love. Then there are others who keep searching and searching one after another and have yet to find the right one because of deep fears/hurts/disappointments/bad experiences. Be patient. When it is the right one, you will know and the certainty may even hit you from the first look!!!
When one falls in love, really fall in love not with love but with the person, it will be for forever and one would not want to look at another unless it is lust. Love lasts. Lust does not.
Love transcends time, geographical barriers, race, culture and so much more.....and I am so glad that even though Katie Kirkpatrick had a short life, she knew who was the love of her life and both of them were with each other from that point until death put them asunder....Be inspired...be thankful...and love the love of your life...and if you have yet to find him/her, you will - somewhere, someday. sometime....Blessings to you, dear reader and have a nice day!
If you prefer to look at the Katie's pics that won the Best of Photojournalism Award 2006 for Enterprise Picture Story, please click HERE. Thanks.
8 comments to THE SHORT LIFE OF KATIE KIRKPATRICK
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Unknown Hi Shinelight,
Thanks for stopping by and for linking my post to your blog.
Am glad you enjoyed my reflections. I find her life an inspiration to live life to the fullest.
Take care and may God bless you.
cheers
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Meagan What is this song called? A time to something...?
This is a beautiful story - mad eme taer up :(
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Unknown Hi Meagan
Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. I have watched it many times and each time, I still go misty-eyed. Such is the power of true love.
The song is "A time for us" which was the theme song for the movie "Romeo ad Juliet" made in the 1970's starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. I remember it very well cos my classmates and I were Leonard Whiting fans.
May each day of your life be filled with love, joy and happiness.
Take care and God bless you.
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mrschicken I got an email from my step dad 9/27/09, & attached were some of Katie's photos & part of her story, which of course inspired me as well to Google her name & read her story. I found that part of her speech as co-valedictorian at her high school was this quote from her " Life is a fragile chain of experiences held together by love. If there could be only one thing in life to learn, it would be to love." Thanks for letting me share this here.
Jennine Marudis
Life is a fragile chain of experiences held together by love. If there could be only one thing in life to learn, it would be to love. ~Katie Kirkpatrick
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Unknown Dear Skinnymouse,
Thanks so much for sharing...That quote is so beautiful and moved me to tears. How true - fragile experiences and only love can give us the strength to face those painful experiences...and indeed, Katie Kirkpatrick has been a definite inspiration to many people in this world.
Of all my blog posts, this one here is the one that has the most number of hits everyday and I know that Katie Kirkpatrick is alive - in our hearts, in our minds and within us when we carry on her legacy - TO LOVE....
God bless you, Skinnymouse.
If I had another name...it would be bigelephant:-). Pleased to meet you. Wish I was skinny but i am happy being as big as a whale :-) - see my profile pic :-).
Take care and keep in touch.
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Anonymous The Wedding of Katie Kirkpatrick & Nick Godwin
Something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new,
But this something has ceremonially forever bonded these loving two,
God created male & female, boyfriend-girlfriend, so that’s it you think?
This wedded bliss of holy matrimony has a third party, an oxygen tank.
Okay, is this some kind of Vegas show, a magic act, what’s the trick?
Wish it was but it’s the sage of a terminally ill bride, Katie Kirkpatrick,
There was a fourth party in this wedding a cancer disastrously mean,
Pain, organs shutting down, Katie planned with the help of morphine.
Constant chemotherapy treatments, who is that always by her side?
Throughout it all no doubt tears flowed continuously from their eyes,
She’s 21, he’s 23, his name is Nick, they were sweethearts as kids,
Didn’t leave, didn’t blame, he supported her, yep, that’s what he did.
Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Godwin already took one oath,
And with his police duties no one would cite him for rocking the boat,
After all, he’s young, handsome & eligible, they both know the deal,
Several wedding dress alterations due to weight loss, this is for real.
Yet, there is one thing that drives everyone who wants to be a cop,
When they get on the trail of a suspect hell or high water can’t stop,
So, Nick was all over Katie’s modus operandi like Sherlock Holmes,
No way was he ever going to leave her to fight this criminal all-alone.
Yes! January 15, 2005, the bride-to-be whose smile was contagious,
Mr. Nick Godwin and Miss Katie Kirkpatrick soul mates for the ages,
Happily they tied the knot, this union of compassionate best friends,
Friends & family as one at Church of Christ in Hazel Park, Michigan.
Only five days later, McLaren Regional Medical Center, it was done,
Passed away, husband Nick said, “such an inspiration to everyone,”
Sweet as candy Katie, “most beautiful angel” left no one feeling blue,
Oh! Now I understand what is going on, God has a sweet tooth too.
By Luke Easter
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Unknown Dear Luke Easter
Thanks for stopping by to share such an awesome comment. I am awed by your writing prowess and perspective of this delicate situation. Thank you so much for sharing your elegant thoughts!
Take care and have a good weekend. Please stay in touch.
Cheers
shinelight her story moves me too...btw i enjoy reading your reflection and I put a link to your post in my blog