My first memories of Kim go back to when I was eight or nine years old. She was my sister’s best friend and we had birthdays two days apart. Elizabeth, with her generous and celebratory spirit, combined our birthday parties. One time, the whole neighborhood was over and Lizzy had done an amazing job of making Kim a layered cake and me a separate layered cake. They were different flavors and had jello pudding as the filling. The house was packed with excited kids from wall to wall. As the cakes, with lighted candles, were making their way from my Mom’s kitchen to our dining room table, a 10-20 ft. distance, a most uproarious scenario occurred! One of the layers of the cakes slid off the cake and onto the Torazo floor! It was outrageous, wonderful and funny. Because we were kids with such fine upbringing, we slapped that the layer back on the cake and ate it all up!
Kim has always been Beautiful. Very Intelligent. Strong. Brave. Powerful. Full of wisdom and quick to guide with an encouraging word. I will never forget the year that she lived in our house. Her mom moved to Tennessee to become a college professor. My mom agreed to let Kim stay with us so she that she could continue attending Fletcher High School. She was working at Winn-Dixie back before scanners did all the work. She was a hard worker and had to key in every single item that came across her conveyor belt at the grocery store. She studied hard, worked hard and was always an amazing friend to everyone around her. I remember feeling lucky that I had an additional sister! She loved to lay out in the backyard and drink Tab.
In recent years, I recall that during the few years that I was single, Kim and Mike both encouraged me that I would be able to find someone else. It uplifted me to hear them say that! But I remember thinking they don’t know what they’re talking about because divorce is a difficult thing. However, they were right, and I really did appreciate that they hoped and dreamed for my future and that they communicated that directly to me when I was vulnerable. For a few short years we talked shop as educators. She was a fantastic high school teacher and made a real difference in her students’ lives!
I am so very sorry for your loss. There are no words or even actions to fill the void Kim left behind. There are not many truly beautiful women, through and through, that are willing to encourage other people and build them up. That is a rare combination.
She left an amazing legacy in her sons, grandchildren and in her example in her marriage. She is a class act and so are all of you!
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:”
Proverbs 31:28 NKJV
Broken but Beautiful 