Tuesday, October 19, 2010

This Puts Life into Perspective....

The wedding.


Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23. This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions...




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




An expected guest 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 with the wedding and to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent.





Katie, in a wheel chair listening to her husband and friends singing to her.




In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain does not allow her to stand for long period of time.





Katie died 5 days after her wedding. To see a fragile woman dress as bride with a beautiful smile makes you think... Happiness is always there within reach, no matter how long it lasts. Lets enjoy life and don't live a complicated life. Life is too short.



Work as if it was your first day. Forgive as soon as possible.

Love without boundaries. Laugh without control and never stop smiling. Please pray for those suffering from cancer.
 
I hope this story touched you as it did for me....I received this via a forward email from a dear friend.  I didn't know this little gal and her husband....but their courage to go on with the wedding and laugh and love...helps me to realize any of my little griefs are not worth the sorrow!  "Smile and be HAPPY!"...that is what I always had told my girls as they were growing up and even now!
 
May you smile and be HAPPY today!! 

Psalm 28:7

19 comments:

Sherri said...

Oh Carolyn, what a loving and touching story! I cried like a baby when I read this (shouldn't have been reading posts at work!). It is true, live each day to the fullest!! Have a good one!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Carolyn! I have chills reading this! Very beautiful and brave young lady! I'm so glad she was able to go through with her wedding and be happy!
And I think I have problems some time! I'm ashamed. God is so good to me and I feel so unworthy at times. Thank you Carolyn for this beautiful post.
Blessings,
Shelia ;)

Suzy said...

Very inspiring !!

MTJ said...

Hi Carolyn,

This is such a touching and loving story you've shared; thank you for posting Katie and Nick's life together.

"Work as if it was your first day. Forgive as soon as possible.

Love without boundaries. Laugh without control and never stop smiling.
"

These are marvelous thoughts to live by.

I lift you up in prayer Carolyn, thanking our God and Saviour for the blessing you are. Through you, our Lord inspires and encourages many.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Anonymous said...

So very touching. Every minute of every day is so precious.

Cora said...

Makes you want to step back, stop, and appreciate everything that we have to be thankful for. We tend to take so much for granted even knowing that we are not promised tomorrow. Each day is a precious gift from our Father in Heaven and we should make the most of it and "Be Happy". Thank you for this bittersweet reminder my friend.

Abounding Treasures said...

What a bittersweet reminder that life is precious and time is so short!

I found your blog via Michele's Parlor and Kitchen Notes and was touched beyond words by this post!!

Blessings :o)

Sarah said...

That made me cry, so moving and touching. Thank you for sharing it.

~Many blessings.

Sarah said...

I hope you don't mind I shared a link to this post on my blog.

Karen said...

What a very touching story of love. Thank you for sharing such wonderful thoughts about love & forgiveness.

Blondie's Journal said...

This story was incredibly sad and uplifting at the same time. What courage these young people had. Thanks for sharing Carolyn.

XO,
Janie

Miss Melissa said...

Hi Carolyn! :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I hope you will visit again. :) Thanks for your sweet and kind comments on my kitchen, too! Your too sweet. :)
Would love to follow you and get to know you better!
This post is inspiring. I remember reading that story via an email some years ago. I remember it was very touching! We sure take a lot for granted, dont we?
Mel

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Made me cry.Such a very touching story.
I need to put my petty troubles in perspective and remember how truly blessed I am.
Thanks for sharing. Annette

Rebecca Nelson said...

Oh Miss C...I've read this before but it's been a long time. Sure does put things in perspective...doesn't it?

What I know to be true is that when crummy things sometimes happen in our lives they are not real tragedies...just crummy things. I have a tendency to label things "terrible" or "devastating" when in tough days come along (and they always do). This past year I've tried to look at life from a different perspective and know in my heart that all is good and well.

Thank you for sharing~

xo~Rebecca

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Love without boundaries. Laugh without control and never stop smiling.~~

Beautiful, beautiful writing--thank you!

Decor To Adore said...

I am bawling like a baby!!! I am so glad that you posted this.

Anonymous said...

Oh my! What a touching story. Many life lessons to be learned from that brave couple.
Thanks for sharing, Carolyn

GardenOfDaisies said...

Well now I have tears pouring down my face. This is so sad and so happy all at the same time. Perspective is right!

HOPE said...

A precious story of LOVE..COURAGE..and FRIENDSHIP! To know this sweet couple knew eachother for years..and then this special DAY. Very touching and sobering as we take so much for granted.

I am nearing my First YEAR as a Breast Cancer SURVIVOR. If you go to my Watering Wells of HOPE blog you can read some of my journey.


Thank you for stopping by my Creative Heart blog..and the time you took to leave a comment. It's always encouraging and nice to meet new friends.

I'd love to see YOUR sock monkey's when you make them. Did you see the others? My favorite is Rosie and my little Police Man (for my new grandson who's daddy and Mommy work for the Police Dept

God bless and thank you again.
HOPE