Monday, May 24, 2010

A Heartfelt Thank You



In September of 1999, our Kyle was a gap-toothed, bright-eyed second grader. At the same time, a beautiful young woman was entering her second year of college at U.W.G.B.   She had recently shared her plan to declare a major in the humanities field. She thought this path would meld nicely with her plan to join Americorps (the national volunteer program.)

This came as no surprise to her friends and family; they knew Kathy Majewski as a very caring, involved person. She enjoyed life to the fullest; involving herself fully in every opportunity, be it school, clubs, community service events, or many part-time jobs she'd held over the years. A graduate of Tinytown High School, Kathy had run cross country and track, played piano, and worked on the school newspaper. She also wrote poetry and was a talented pianist. She was a real go-getter, and her community was a brighter place because she was in it.

Kathy's dad, Jim, warmly told me about the time she (the youngest of three) was in 8th grade and he asked her, "Do you want to do the dishes, or come outside and rebuild an engine with me?"  She chose the latter, which tells you a lot about her; doesn't it?  Kathy was a young woman who loved life, her family, and her community and was poised to make her mark in this world.

Sadly, she never got the chance to realize her dreams; Kathy's life was taken from her, leaving her family and friends heartbroken and a community in mourning.

Jim and Mary Lou, Wade, and Wendy, you have chosen to make a difference in this world, in Kathy's memory.  I want you to know that the scholarship gift you've awarded our son will be used wisely; you have given it to a hard-working, caring, independent young man who, too, is a light in his community and lives life to the fullest.

Thank you.

22 comments:

  1. How bittersweet...what a beautiful girl, what a tragedy.

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  2. Beautiful girl...beautiful family...turning tragedy into triumph. :)

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  3. Oh gosh, this made me cry. What a neat thing Kathy's family is doing in her memory.

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  4. Thanks for making me cry this morning...glad I haven't put makeup on yet. What a great thing that even though she is no longer on this earth, she continues to make a difference.

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  5. What a honor for Kyle ....great story I have goose bumps.

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  6. Oh that made me cry..but great news for Kyle!

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  7. This story made me cry. Hits close to home. Two years ago this June (our kids here in Canada go to school until end of June, so grad is about a month later than yours) my son graduated from highschool along with the rest of his small town class, with a beautiful, talented amazing young woman with endless potential ahead of her and her desire to make the world a better place. She won the awards & scholarships, was liked/loved by all - the "everything" girl. A very short month later she was gone - coming home from work late on a rainy night, on a rural curvy road and missed a curve. To say a community and area were devatated doesn't even begin... My son & his classmates are still scarred by this. It was surreal to sit in the very same small-town community hall where we'd held a joyous all night graduation celebration in June, and then a month later in the same location (only place large enough for such a huge funeral) to mourn Katelyn. Her family also chose to honour her in the same way, with a scholarship for graduating years to follow. Last year, a year after her passing, was my daughter's graduation. Such a difficult moment when it came time for that to be presented, not a dry eye in the house, but a wonderful legacy to carry on. (to clarify, my daughter did not get this scholarship, but a good friend of hers did). Congratulations to Kyle on receiving that scholarhip in Kathy's honour!
    ~Bonnie

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  8. It is so lovely of you to let them know that gift they have given is being honored and appreciated.

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  9. Life isn't always fair. It's a shame that a bright, young and talented person with a future who would be such a blessing to the rest of the world is taken, while useless lazy people continue to take and give nothing back.

    But it sure is refreshing to see her parents giving on her behalf. Kyle is the perfect recipient, and I know he will not disappoint.

    Congratulations!

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  10. What a amazing tribute to their daughter; helping other students fulfill their dreams. I'm sure she would be proud. Congratulations to Kyle.

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  11. I am in tears! that was beautiful...just beautiful...

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  12. What a beautiful gift - and a beautiful thank you.

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  13. Oh so beautiful! I feel for her family, but what a wonderful way to make a tribute.

    Congrats to Kyle - graduation and all! Do you feel old now?

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  14. First off -- congratulations to Kyle for what is surely a well deserved award.

    Second -- I've got quite a few thank you notes I need to catch up on. Care to help me?

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  15. Congratulations, Kyle. What a wonderful way for Kathy's family to honor her memory.

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  16. Beautiful! And what a sweet letter of thanks for her family! I'm sure they will treasure it!

    Congratulations to Kyle!

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  17. This is just so lovely. I appreciate this message because I often wonder if people know the story behind the scholarships. My family has one, at the University of Denver, in memory of my Uncle who died in 1979 at the age of 21.

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  18. What a beautiful picture. What a wonderful thing they did for Kyle.

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  19. Wow. What a touching story. How impressive that Kyle won it. Yeah for him.

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  20. Very cool letter of Thanks! I am sure they are touched that such a wonderful young man will benefit from their tragedy.

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  21. It's a strange world isn't it?

    Someone so beautiful, and a child still taken.

    Her memory will be carried by your son. Pray he uses it to it's fullest!

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