Happy Birthday, Kathleen

Today is my friend Kathleen's birthday. No accidents that two of my dearest friends have their birthdays a day apart. I do love Leos. Not enough has been made of having a Leo for a friend, and I have several! I am blessed, blessed and more blessed.

Kathleen and I have been daily walking buddies for eleven years now. I think it's fair to say we've talked about everything on those walks. We've raged. We've cried. We've laughed. We've contemplated. We've processed. We've grieved. We've recovered. We've healed. Together. Can't imagine my life without her, without her steady, calming, loving presence.

Since first grade Kathleen has been Wil's 1:1 aide one morning a week. Who does that? Who takes time out of their busy schedules and lives to volunteer consistently like that, who never calls in sick or flakes out, but who shows up week after week, year after year, sleeves rolled up and ready to Rojo? Kathleen.

In September she will begin her final year with the class that she's moved up with through the grades. It will be emotional for everyone as we go through the "lasts." The last first day of school. The last Halloween carnival. The last Advent program, the last Field Day, Mass, day of school...

Fortunately, June will not signal the end of Rojo and Kathleen's special bond, it will move and shape into something else, just as my relationship with Kathleen has. Something that looks and feels a lot like love.