My dear Kelly,

Your birthday card is sitting on the table in the entryway; a pale pink envelope waiting to be mailed.

(2018 – Kelly and her beautiful mama).

You turned 60 and celebrated in Santa Barbara with friends and family. I decided to wait to mail it until you returned to Scottsdale, to extend your birthday celebration. (I loved picking out the fancy cards for you – because I knew you loved snail mail like I do).

Instead of mailing it, I will sit under the stars tonight and read it out-loud to you.

My heart is full of hope that you are with Jesus now. I have no doubt that when you see him, he was say “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Oh Kelly, when we moved to Corrine Drive in Scottsdale you welcomed us right away. Some people say that neighbors don’t borrow eggs or a cup of sugar any more. Well, we proved them wrong, didn’t we? At least once a week, we rescued each other’s baking adventures by rummaging through our pantry for one another.  You celebrated adoptions, births, and fostering with us. Your cheese enchiladas rivaled any restaurant, and I looked forward to your peppermint bark every year.

You made Arizona feel familiar.

You had a way of celebrating everything – the eclipse with science experiments, the olympics with a delicious feast made in honor of the hosting country, and moving back to Texas with one last delicious feast. You had a way of caring for everyone quietly, without seeking any attention or thanks.

Most of all, I miss the times our conversations moved from the driveway to the couch and ended with an invitation for dinner. I giggle when I think about rolling Mary Alice’s high chair across the cul-de-sac so that she would be contained safely while we enjoyed your Brian’s tri-tip by the pool. I still can’t believe you drove an hour to a photoshoot with me, just so that we could visit in the car and catch up on life.

I have a big favor. Would you ask if we could be neighbors in Heaven? And save an egg for me. I have some banana bread to make you.

With love,

Katie