Happy Holidays Kast Family

Hello Everyone,

Well, Jenn and I have been a little remiss on posting on the site the last weeks. It has been a busy season for us as I am sure it has been for you. We have had a lot going on. Jenn has been home since last week. First at her father’s and then here with us. We had a very nice Christmas.  I worked part of the day and Jenn worked here at home.

I got my dinner cooked.!… Christmas dinner. Jenn did it all, including the shopping. What a treat for me…and what a nice time we had with our family, all of them. Kerrie was here with us, we all knew that. We couldn’t always see her, but we knew she was here. Her spirit was so strong, it couldn’t be missed. Angels everywhere. Her favorite. In the curio cabinet, on the mantel, around the  room and in the air. What a bittersweet day with Ron, Alisa, Robyn and TJ. We laughed and thought and shared and loved.

We had snow here in Michigan, a real white Christmas. And family and friends all around. I feel really blessed. I went to work one night this last week  and on the desk was a package for me. I opened it and it was a journal. Someone (and I will find out who you are) had taken a beautiful green journal (one of Kerrie’s favorite colors) and had people whe worked with and knew Kerrie sign and write their memories and feelings about Kerrie. I just read it and cried and felt such a strong sense of love and peace.

The world is small and we never know who or how we are connected with others. A couple of weeks ago I was talking to an agency nurse who was working at the hospital (a nurse who goes to different places every day to fill in vacancies). We had talked before, he had gone to high school with Jenn and knew Kerrie. He said, “Joan, did you know my wife (a nurse) works at Henry Ford Hospital? She worked on P2 (Kerrie’s floor). Her name is Giselle.” I was totally shocked. Giselle, the nurse who came in an hour early one night just to get Kerrie out of bed and in a chair because no one else could. Giselle, who pushed Ker around the hall in a special chair so she could get out of her room. Giselle, the name I used every time I got Kerrie up at home,   ” Kerrie, just pretend I’m Giselle, it’s time to get up. I know you don’t want to, but you have to”. What is it, that this thing that Kerrie has had to experience has had so many ramifications? So many people have connected or have common threads?

So many things have taken place the last few days. I know that Jenn will write more on this later…. I can’t do it right now, but we have found some comfort and solace in some very interesting ways.

I hope you all have had a good holiday and will have a very good and happy New Year. 2008 has to be good for all of us. I know with all of my heart that Kerrie wants that for us too.

Take Care Everyone,

We Love You

Joan