Dear Kris,

Today is hard Kris. Learning of your passing was rough today. I had to take a moment to pause what was on my mind when I heard the news. The sounds of the day are just an echo right now. I am so saddened tonight.

I want to take the moment to truly thank you for sharing your story with us here. It was truly an inspiration to me. I often struggle with my emotional well being and hearing your incredible story leaves me a guide in how I want to approach life’s difficulties in the future. I really struggled last week but I’ve really made an effort to pull myself together quickly. It was reflecting on your story Kris, that made that possible. Throughout the time since I read that letter it has stuck with me. Your strength was nothing short of amazing.

Your story though Kris, did something else for me, something I didn’t think was possible. It brought me closer to a spiritual feeling that I can no longer ignore. I feel as if your story was meant to come into my life as an awakening. After my Mother’s passing I feel away from spirituality. I told God once that we were on time out until I felt something specific. I felt that after that Zoom conference with you. I don’t know if I can match your zest for life in spite of whatever, but I promise that in your memory that I will give it the best damn try possible.

For Kris’s family, I know the words of a complete stranger my not soften the grief and sorry of this moment. I pray for your comfort and guidance throughout the difficult moments you are in the midst of. I pray for time to yield itself to cherished memories of Kris that put a smile upon your face as you know he has at last won the battle against this terrible foe. I offer these words from Henry Scott Holland as a parting.

“Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.”

I will miss you Kris, in just a short time you have changed my life for the better by setting an example I will try to live up to. You will be a beacon of light for all those you blessed.

Rest Easy,