[Previous entry: ""] [Main Index] [Next entry: "NZ Beef vs Hare Krishna"] 02/09/2004 Entry: "Katie Jeter" The recent winter storms back in the states have made last weekend a sad one for me. Dr Kurt and Mamie Jeter, both church youth counselors years back when I had great times at the Franklin 1st United Methodist, have lost their daughter, Katie. She was killed in a car accident two days ago on a college road trip. Katie was 19, about the age of some of my younger students at the University of Dresden. I must admit, I hardly remember little Katie. The most time I spent with her was when I was about thirteen or so. She could not yet talk at that time. I used to ask her, "did you see what Katy did?" Katydids are these grasshopper-like bugs we have back home, also there was a fairy tale called "what Katy Did", so I thought it funny at the time. I am pretty sure that at least one or two times I said to her as she was just a babe, "you is one ugly baby!" in this crazy voice. She found that funny, regardless of whether or not she understood what I said; she was a basket of sunshine. I thought she was absolutely adorable. Mamie, Kurt, I've sat and I've counted how many friends and family I've lost in my life; it took almost the both of two hands. But no loss is greater than to not die before your own children. It is a sorrow I cannot fathom, and I cannot provide any words as salve to your pains. I bid you grieve to the fullest. It is your right. And then at somepoint remember that you are still alive.
Incidentally here is a story about the last surviving member of a failed
Anyway, my favorite line from above article is below, which I find so beautiful, and my parents, gritting their teeth, would have to admit that that is no surprise: |