I continued along I-5 to the showery Northwest to visit my college friend Kelli her husband Jeff and their two sons.
I hadn’t seen Kelli since the early 90s while attending UF.
“Remember all the football games Kelli and the Gator Growl at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium? The student skits and the laser light shows were the bomb!”
“Yes, we had a blast at the Swamp. Also the Devil’s Millhopper sinkhole was my favorite place to find peace and quietness during our prayer times. The dripping water created a beautiful, relaxing ambience. Would love to go back.”
“Hahaha, and climbing all those stairs was quite a workout.”
“Yes those are precious memories that I’ll always cherish. Just like our Bible studies at North Central Baptist Church. Remember them as if it was yesterday.”
Then a long, silent pause. My smile had suddenly vanished. I looked at her uneasily. She didn’t maintain her gaze.
“I need to tell you something very important,” as she wiped her tear holding a tissue to her nose. “I’m going home to see the Lord, and I’m very sad that I won’t be able to see my sons grow up, get married and have kids.”
By now, her tears were flowing steadily. My eyes also had welled up and I was afraid I was at a loss for words.
“Oh my sweet Kelli. I’m extremely heart broken. You’re such an amazing woman and a special friend for over 20 years. I hope what you’re telling me is not true. I know that you will leave a great lasting legacy for your whole family.”
The next day, I woke up to a whimper as I lethargically got dressed for the Seattle Marathon. But I wouldn’t be disheartened. I would run the course for Kelli, keeping her foremost in my thoughts throughout the course. In the end, I was honored to present my two medals (Seattle and San Diego) to her two sons.
“Your sons will be very proud to call you Mom!”
“Thank you. You’ve always been a good friend to me.”
Then I hugged Kelli and her family tightly and boarded a bus to Vancouver as tears continued to flow “See you in Heaven! Save a seat for me there.”
The last precious image of Kelli waving goodbye is forever inked in my mind.
