Monday, November 7, 2011

Sad Day

Hi friends. It's a very sad day for me. If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, you probably know about my amazing friend Katie and her battle with cancer. I found out today that she passed away early this morning, peacefully and surrounded by family. My heart breaks for her beautiful family and I'm praying for them to find peace. You can read Kevin's (Katie's husband) post HERE.

Here's a picture I already shared of me and Katie but I wanted to post it one last time. This is the only time we met in person at CHA-W 2010. Looking at this picture reminds me that I should be joyful that I was one of the lucky ones who got to meet Katie in person, see her smile in real life and give her a hug. I love you, Katie! Thanks for being my friend and teaching me more about love, being a good mom, living life to the fullest and the importance to smiling over the last few months than I could have learned in a lifetime.
Now, I would like to ask you all for a favor. Several actually. In my last conversation with Katie, she was talking to me about how she was trying to make the kids a bunch of birthday cards that they could open from her in the years to come. She said that she had only gotten a few done. So, in honor of my friend Katie and the last conversation we had, would you please send some birthday cards to her boys? Here's the address:

The Renz Family
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Birthdays:
Kevin - Nov 17
Will and Nate (will be turning 6) - Nov 19
Hunter (will be turning 12) - Dec 1

Thank you to everyone who has prayed with me and continues to pray for the Renz family! If you would still like to donate to help the Renz family, you can use the button on my right sidebar. Every penny will go to the family to help with whatever costs are needed.

9 comments:

  1. Oh Ashley! This breaks my heart! Thanks for letting us know that she passed. I will try hard to get some cards sent for her boys. Hugs to you sweetie.

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  2. I'm am so sorry to hear about Katie. What a beautiful photo of the two of you, and how awesome that you had the opportunity to meet Katie in person. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I will definitely make some cards for her boys. (((HUGS)))

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  3. So sorry to hear about your loss. Katie seemed like such a great friend and talented artist. Thanks you for sharing Katie's story with us -- she has touched us all.

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  4. Thank you for this. It is indeed a sad day and I'm grateful that you shared your thoughts about and your conversations with her. I've been meaning to give her a card but never got to. Now there's really no excuse and seeing the birth dates...well, they're so close to this sad day. I pray that Katie is finally at peace and that she is pain free. Would you mind telling me pls if we should mention Katie in the cards?

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  5. Thank you, Ash. That is such a beautiful photo of the two of you. What a treasure. I've linked to your post, reiterating the request that people please make cards for the boys.

    ***hugs*** this day just stinks, but I'm grateful I got to hear from you rather than just stumbling on the news by myself.

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  6. Sorry for your loss..a great friend is hard to find and losing one is tougher to even imagine ...
    Extremely sorry for the loss ..
    Will make sure the cards reach the kids ..
    take care..
    hugs

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  7. Ashley, you have such a beautiful soul. I'm so sad for her family, and everyone that has been touched by her. Hugs! I will definitely be sending some cards. It's the least I can do for someone who has touched so many of our lives.

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  8. Ashley!! I will definitely send cards from Australia to all 4 of the boys in Katie's life...I too was saddened to hear of her passing....may she be pain free and life eternally...

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