Fifteen years ago (I was 15 and in the 10th grade), I met Luna Runge in my drama class. I can't really remember the getting to know you stuff...It seems to me like we were just always friends. Over the years we have become the best of friends and I feel so lucky to call her my very best friend.
I can't really tell you when I first met Kat...Luna's mom. Their family has always been easy going and I really don't remember any formal introductions. Sometime in high school as my friendship with Luna developed so did my relationship with Kat and Dennis..and Wylie (although to Wylie I have probably just always been "his sister's friend").
I remember so many nights spent out at the Runge House. We had Sadie Hawkins dinner out there one year. I spent the night in Luna's room a bunch of times (she had two twin beds...it was perfect). I remember one Thanksgiving (in high school) going with The Runge's to see Hamlet (in the movie theater)...It was the only movie I have ever been to that had an intermission.
As I spent more and more time with Luna and her family, Kat became like a second mom to me. When Luna went away to college in San Diego I still saw Kat quite often. She had a stamp store at the time and I used to stop in and visit her...and Jeremy (another close friend who worked for Kat in her store). When Luna graduated from UC San Diego I went down to San Diego with Kat and Dennis for her graduation.
Luna went off to grad school in Michigan after graduating from UC San Diego. I can't really remember what year it was, but one day while Luna was up in Michigan I remember her calling me. Kat was in the hospital after having a tumor removed from her stomach. Luna was quite upset that she couldn't be there and asked me to go to the hospital. Jeremy and I went to see her in the hospital. I know she was glad to see us because it reminded her of Luna.
Her family was so important to her.
Over the last few years Kat didn't feel like Luna's mom, or my friend's mom...she was my friend.
I have so many great great memories of you Kat...Playing in your stamp store, making cards and bookmarks with you, putting together favors for Chris and Luna's wedding, gathering up craft supplies to make favors for my wedding, dinners out on your porch, visiting your dad with you and Luna and trying on some of your mom's old dresses, long talks about anything and everything....I loved your stories...You really had all the best ones.Here is Kat and Dennis at our wedding. She always had that big smile on her face. And most of the time she was laughing...sometimes I can hear her beautiful laugh. Anyone who has laughed with Kat can hear her laugh (and knows what I mean when I say it was beautiful).
Here is Kat's tanning bed on wheels....
We nicknamed it that one day when we were out to lunch at Mimi's. I will remember that lunch forever Kat! I often drive by Mimi's and look to see if you are sitting at our table right outside. We had lunch together just to catch up on everything. I remember our conversation so well...and you took my picture sitting at the table...I remember thinking, oh I can't believe she is taking my picture...we just ate. But that is just how you are. And I didn't care.We talked about Wylie and Shauna getting married and how you found out. We talked about their plans to host a reception (possibly at your dad's house). We talked about Dennis and your travel plans for the summer. We talked about that Eggplant Napoleon recipe that you were going to cook for me. We talked about my infertility and I remember you having such a positve outlook on the whole situation (I was actually pregnant while we were having that lunch, but didn't know it yet). I remember you had the grilled cheese and fruit and I had pasta. I remember when it came time to pay you said, "I got it this time...you pay next time." and I said, "then lets do this again soon." We walked out to your fancy sports car and you gave me the tour...we laughed when I called it the tanning bed on wheels. You drove off and I went back to work. It was a wonderful time that I will always remember.
Not much more than a week later you were at my house with dinner for me and Lou after we lost our baby. You brought us lasagna and salad and bread and flowers. You stayed and visited and like you always did, you shed light on a gloomy situation. I don't think anyone has that ability like you do...Anytime I talked to you about a bad, sad, frusterating situation you could always make things not look so bad. (I actually think Luna has that a little bit too.)
Kat you have been there for me more than you probably realized...one other thing you did for us that meant so much to us...You hosted our rehearsal dinner out at your house. You put everything together so nicely and went out of your way to make us feel so special. Thank you!
I found this on your facebook page after you passed away...I think it really says a lot about you:
25 things to share about me:
1. I married my best friend.
2. Was on an experimental chemo drug for over a year...saved my life.
3. I own a boat manufacturing company.
4. Love spending time with my kids.
5. I drive fast...really fast...and have a sports car to support the habit (& a '69 Mustang musle car).
6. I have lunch with my brother almost every week.
7. Helped birth two of my grandkids.
8. Once owned a retail craft supply store.
9. I love looking out my window and seeing the snow capped Sierra.
10.I was assistant professor at University of Northern Iowa (costume design)
11. Lived in NYC...Williansburg specifically...around the corner from Peter Luger's and on the NY marathon route.
12. Can't pass up a pop-up book...the artsier or cleverer and more intricate, the better.
13. Borrowed my son's Wii and don't want to give it back.
14. Spent August 1983 cooking chili and cornbread in Edenburgh...while looking out over an old old graveyard...very Oooooold.
15. I stood on a train trestle over a gorge in Alaska...truly an aweson and awe inspiring experience.
16. I drink coffee...fresh brewed or old...hot or cold...love the smell, love the taste.
17. Have an art collection...my home looks more like an art gallery...Ha!
18. I prefer Pinot Noir, Syrah and Port...dark, sultry and rich.
19. I adore gargoyles, grotesques, and dragons...sculptures...they can be found all around my home watching over me.
20. I have a pssion for bracelets and earrings...so I make them. I also buy other jewelry artist's work.
21. Audible.com...God bless it!
22. Practicing patience...waiting for The Mister to retire so we can take more road trips.
23. I wish I had a personal assistant...I could get so much more done.
24. I believe in the 80/20 theory...we use 20% of our "stuff" with 80% sitting idle. I'd like to get rid of 80% of my craft supplies. I managed to rid myself of 80% of my clothes, but somehow my closet it full again...sheesh!
25. As is typical of me....I am writing this list on the middle of the night.
Kat, you were such a neat lady. You will be missed greatly and never EVER forgotten. We Love you Kat.
