Monday, July 5, 2010

Don't Let These Moments Slip Away



On Valentine's Day 2002 Katie Kirkpatrick, a freshman at Rochester College in Michigan, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. Undaunted she strove to keep up with her studies, but she suffered another setback in 2003 when she was diagnosed with an inoperable lung tumour wrapped around her pulmonary artery. Nonetheless, in 2004 she took part in Lance Armstrong's "Ride For The Roses" cancer fundraiser.




On January 15, 2005 twenty-one year old Katie, the "girl with a contagious smile and unrelenting optimism" who had been battling cancer for three years married Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy Nick Godwin, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life at Church of Christ in Hazel Park, Michigan.






Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine Katie took care of every part of the wedding planning. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to her constant weight loss.






An unusual guest at the wedding was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick's parents, very emotional to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love with in high school.







Katie listening to a song from her husband and friends.






At the reception, Katie had to take a few rest breaks. The pain wouldn't allow her to stand for long periods of time.






Katie died five days after her wedding day. Seeing a woman so fragile get married with a smile on her face makes us realize how thankful we should be for each day and that no matter how it may seem sometimes happiness is reachable.

Every day I talk to or read of someone waiting for the right circumstances to fall into place.  Guys, time doesn't wait for love.  Love shouldn't wait for time either.  If you feel something for someone, tell them.

Tomorrow may be too late.

19 comments:

  1. GREAT POST!!! May it be read by many and may its message change many lives... may people learn and take the time to enjoy the present... as it is a gift!!! HHL

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Barry... this is so bad! You see... people who don't fight for anything and get everything... and these people who fight hard to be able to do something so simple as it is to breathe... and they can't!! Why is this? Life should be deserved!
    This woman, Katie, had a battle with herself on her wedding date. And she won. She got married, she was happy. And her husband, he also had a battle with himself that day. He was so happy to see her happy, but so sad because he also saw that he was losing her.

    We are so stupid sometimes. We care too much for things that are not THAT important. We are focused in the things we have, and not in the people who are around us, who support us, who love us...

    I'm so happy I have people who love me, and who I love. I hope everybody has somebody to love. If not, what's the point of all the pain.

    Don't know it this makes any sense in English. My brain is melting because of the heat of Spain.

    Love,

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not going to lie, I just cried. This is incredibly touching. Thanks for sharing it; hopefully we can all live just a little bit better because of it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow. Just goes to show what the human spirit can endure. It makes most of what we think is important, rather not.
    I'm so glad we found each other. I can't imagine my life without you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That was heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. I guess its good I've always lived with my heart on my sleeve.

    Wow. That's about all I can say to this.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What an incredible post, even though sad. Too many people allow love to slip by for one reason or another. Sometimes because of things out of their control, and sometimes because of their own, blind selfishness. Sad.

    Thank you for posting this. I will be thinking about this for the next several days now.

    ReplyDelete
  7. thank you for sharing this. it is very touching story. you have such a good point. if you feel something you need to say it. love is a huge emotion but it needs to be expressed.
    xoxo, jamie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Reading this makes your own problems seem so trivial. Great story

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sad, but beautiful. And this happened very close to where we live over here in Michigan.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This moved me to tears. It makes me so happy to know she got to get married & be happy in her life even if it was for moments. Thank you Barry for posting this. I've decided not to wait around for jokers to realize things anymore. I'm living in the now & choose happiness. R.I.P. to this lil lady.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That really is beautiful. Thank you for posting it - I have to admit reading it made me want to shed a tear. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. i know what you mean, Barry. and fully agree that one shouldn't keep his/her feelings shut in their hearts.
    only sometimes those around us push us to supress our feelings, and they die without ever being lived.
    it is heartbreaking to such beautiful feelings die. but often it is just the only thing u can do.
    this young lady deserved those happy hours she lived, for she paid her debts in pain and was courageous enough to DREAM.

    such a beautiful post as always.
    thank you dear friend

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMG, I needed a good cry, think I will drag the Captain to the alter immediately, this coming from the runaway bride.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Even after a few days, I keep thinking about this story! Thank you for sharing it. The way she was able to continue through her pain to share in those special moments with the love of her life was incredibly touching. I always think its amazing when love can push through everything else going on in our lives.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I saw these photos online before but had no idea that this was SO close to my home town. Like miles away. Such a touching story of love <3

    ReplyDelete
  16. Also, this statement you made "If you feel something for someone, tell them." couldn't be more true for me right now. Gosh - you blog always brings such strong emotions to me. Must take a break before I cry through my lunch hour... HaHa.

    ReplyDelete
  17. And now you've done it... teary eyes and all.... how touching and scary all at the same time. At least she was wise enough to follow her dreams till the last minute - most of us just stay afloat and barely come up for air. Alas...

    ReplyDelete
  18. I LOVE this story! So beautiful and touching.

    I was feeling a little upset tonight because I haven't heard anything after sending The Letter and then I got a crappy comment on one of my posts but reading this tonight reaffirms my choices and actions.

    :)

    ReplyDelete