The Saddest Day Of All

On June 14, 2008 I lost my very best friend to a tragic accident on Hwy. 42 in Coquille, Oregon.

Crystal Renee Barrett was driving to Coos Bay and a tree fell on her car. That's the accident, and something that I will always remember, but that is NOT who Kristi was.

Kristi was the one that always had a smile and a positive word to share. Kristi was the one that I could call for no reason at all and yet talk to for hours.

I have known Kristi for more than 24 years and while we could go for long periods without talking, we never drifted apart.

Kristi was Tanner's mom, and he was the light of her life! There wasn't anything that she wouldn't do for him ... and there's nothing he wouldn't have done for her. They came to Port Angeles every year during Tanner's spring break and we would spend time just hanging out, going to the Olympic Game Farm, trying to get to Hurricane Ridge, and we planned to go to Victoria next year, after Tanner got his passport.

I learned a lot from Kristi while she was alive, and I've learned the most important lesson about life since her death ... you need to tell the people you care about, that you do. You never know when your time is ... and to live each day as if it were your last is not a "cliche", but rather something that we should all do.

I will miss her forever ... she was the sister that I would have chosen if I could have .. but more than that, she was the woman that I admired over all others.

Kristi left behind so many people who loved her and whom she loved. Mark, the love of her life; Marilyn, her mom; Debbie, her sister and serious partner in crime; Julie, her childhood friend that went with her everywhere when they were growing up; Julie's kids, who knew her as "Aunt Kristi"; my kids, who also knew her as Aunt Kristi (and none of these kids ever questioned HOW was she their aunt); Jim, (Tanner's dad) whom she stayed friends with from the beginning to the end; Ryan, her nephew, whom she spoke of so lovingly, even when telling the stories about him doing the things he shouldn't have; and all of you other friends and relatives, that I don't have enough time or space to mention. I can tell you that everyone that was loved by Kristi knew it - she made sure of it!

Yesterday, July 11, was Kristi's 43rd birthday - and today we're honoring her with a bbq ... and hopefully every year from hereon out, we will continue the tradition!

The world is a little lonelier now ... but there is a star that shines brighter, and we all have another angel watching over us!

I love you and I miss you Kristi!!!