Kristy Helped Change My Life Forever

I worked with Kristy at Wade Cook. We were really good friends and traveled to LOTS of places together. I started to go inactive when she was putting in her papers for the mission. She invited me to lunch and we had a great talk. She even spoke about our talk at her farewell - I said to her, "I want what you have. I want to be as happy as you are." That meant a lot to her because she was HAPPY. We kept in touch and after a few years, I decided to serve a mission, (with lots of encouragement from Kristy) and she was one of the only friends who came to see me off at the MTC. Since then, we had kept in touch through random emails and christmas cards, but had lost touch. I just found out tonight about our HORRIBLE loss and I am shocked and speechless. My heart is broken. She was such a special person. I love her very much and she will be more than missed.

I have attached this picture of us at the MTC - she was so proud of me. I was so grateful to her. She changed my life...

**Cara**

Hello, my name is Stacy. I worked with Kristy in Seattle at Wade Cook. I just wanted to say that I think about her often. I have been fortunate enough to find her blog after I found out in late Feb. This is the only time I have felt brave enough to write. I am so excited and fortunate enough to have met such a person. It has given me such comfort to read all the memories that everyone has posted. What a beautiful woman. I read everything and wish I could be just half the woman/friend this girl has been to EVERYONE!

I have the funniest memories in my life. One is of Kristy and when I was to perform the hymlic on her. You already read it from Erica's blog. It was so hilarious that every single time I have told the story (up until last week) I laugh and cry with laughter ever time I try to tell the story. I mean I laugh so hard telling the story that I start snorting! She loved that about me. I am just so happy and excited that I have one great funny memory to tell for the rest of my life about this great woman! To share with all. I just wanted to say that I am thinking about you girl, as you know. All the time. Kristy knows every single time I am thinking about her, and every time YOU are thinking about her. Please, keep the posts coming. That is what has inspired me to write. I can't wait to hear more. Love ya girl! Your beautiful voice singing down the hall way to the bathroom, on the way to lunch, or just 'cause.

Love Stacy...

Beautiful Headstone

Last week while walking in the morning with a friend, we found ourselves walking past the Lehi cemetery. I had not yet had the opportunity to see Kristy's headstone, so we wandered over to see if it had been put in place yet. It was such a beautiful and peaceful time of morning-- quiet. Some time between 6:30 and 7:00 am. The sun was shining and all I could hear was the sound of a distant sprinkler somewhere on the grounds. At first, we mistook Kristy's burial spot for another unidentified person (there was a washed out plastic tag marking the spot). In that moment it was upsetting to me that such a beautiful mother and friend was only marked with cheap plastic with no name to pay our respects (I do feel sad for who's spot it really was). And then we spotted it. It was beautiful. It was overwhelming to me just to read her name, realizing this is where her body lay to rest. This is where the cares of this world are left for my dear friend. Engraved on the back of the headstone was a beautiful poem that I believe Kristy wrote. I was overcome with emotion as the feelings of her loss resurfaced. But as I read her poem, a peace came over me and reminded me that this life truly is but a moment and that we have all of eternity to be with the people we love. It reminds me to appreciate my time here and not take any moment for granted.

I miss our talks and your beautiful voice. I miss laughing at your boldness- because I am so not bold and it never ceased to shock me! I miss how passionate you were about music and using it to touch people and invite the spirit. When we sang together, you took careful time to choose a song that would really bring the spirit. You told me that you knew it was the "right song" if you cried when you started singing it. I only wish I had that kind of tenderness towards the spirit and what music can do to invite it. You are a bundle of spunk and I miss it! I take comfort in knowing that yes, my time with you was short, but I will have all of eternity to sing and laugh with you again. I love you and miss you Kristy.

Beautiful job on the headstone Samantha!

Lots of love,
Haley

Another Tragedy

Dear Family and Friends,

Kristy had a friend in her youth that she went to Seminary with. His name is Jeremy Van Gieson. He graduated from BYU and then went to Medical School. He is currently in his residency program in Michigan. Yesterday his wife and father-in-law were killed in a car accident close to Rupert, Idaho as they were traveling to Utah for a family reunion. Jeremy's three children and mother-in law were taken to the hospital, treated and released. You can find the story on KMVT.com.

I have taught piano lessons to some of the Van Gieson kids. Bishop Robert Van Gieson was our bishop for 4 years. We have been great friends with the family. I ask you to please pray for the Van Gieson and Walther families. From my experience I know that prayer helps a whole lot. Please join us in praying for these two wonder families and especially for the 3 kids.

Thanks,
Love you always,
Ann

Infectious Smiles

I just want to say that Kristy truly was and is all the nice things everyone says about her. I showed up to a party in '07 at the Vangieson's home in Washington feeling very down about some things. I just strolled quietly and suddenly she saw me and she lit up with a wonderful smile recognizing me from many years prior. I could not help but to break out into a smile myself. She brightened my day with just a few moments of her very direct yet friendly talk. I just found out about what happened to her today 7/19/08 while helping do a service project helping her brother prepare to move to Iowa. I asked how was Kristy doing and he then explained. I am so happy to have known her and she seemed to me a part of heaven here on earth and my deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends. I'm not much of a talker or writer for that matter but she deserves the effort. So Kristy thanks for all the kindness, talent, service and of course infectious smiles :)

Pajama Day

Here is a photo of Kristy from one of Kristy's old coworkers, Erika. Thanks Erika! This was pajama day at the office!

From Ann

Hello Everyone!

I keep saying that I am going to write-well; you can see how often I really do! So sorry. I do have some great news, finally. I get to go home to Washington and take the boys with me. We will be gone for one month. I will leave on July 11th and return to Utah on August 11th. To all you Washingtonians- stop by and give me a hug or stop by and watch the boys while I take a nap!

The boys are progressing and doing so much better. They are great little guys- lots of energy, gaining weight- sleeping well. They are doing much better than I expected. Of course I am 100% full time grandma. They really don't have to share me with work or other commitments. It is hot and dry here in Utah. Hope to find cooler weather in Washington.

Yesterday I had the neatest experience. In the morning I received a phone call saying that there would be a bus load of teenagers coming to the home in the afternoon to do service for me. When afternoon came around, here came an old school bus painted blue and white full of energetic clean cut youth. They swept out the garage and pulled weeds. The morning glory was so thick it looked like ground cover. It was 98 degrees but I did not hear one complaint or swear word for that matter. These kids were from a small town in Northeast Iowa. They had come to Salt Lake for a youth conference. Part of the week long activities to provide service. I believe there were 5,500 youth. Of course I got the very best, cream of the crop. These kids were awesome. I had 14 youth, 3 leaders and the bus driver. Thanks to you all, you are awesome. Keep up the good works.

Thanks to Jordan Meadows ward for doing the service project in May for Mother's Day. Thanks to all for goodies, flowers, service rendered and most of all love and concern. Man, Kristy really knew how to pick great friends!

Thanks to you young mothers who donated to the "get Ann into the 21st century with a digital camera" project. So thoughtful and insightful. Thanks. Now get over here and teach me how to use it. Ha ha.

Thanks to all of you for helping with the kid swap every Wed. and every other weekend. You are great. Thanks to all who provided babysitting for Brandon and Carter as I attend therapy and legal stuff. The kids love you and so do I.

I am in a very interesting situation. When I have a real need someone shows up to provide the talent or service needed. I know for a surety that God is orchestrating all this for me. I know that it is a direct result of so many people fasting and praying on our behalf. On the very worst painful days a card or letter or quilt or CD or money donation arrives in the mail to remind me of greatness of the human soul and that there are so many really righteous good people out there that are listening to the spirit. It just has to be because the timing is so perfect.

Samantha did a beautiful job designing the headstone. It is in place so if you are in Lehi stop by and see it. It doesn't have a picture on it yet but we are working on it.

Love to all and thanks a whole bunch.

Love,
Ann and
The "little boys"
Brandon & Carter

Totally Kristy

I first met Kristy when I flew out for my brother’s wedding to Kristy’s good friend Holly Harris (Burbank). Kristy was helping with wedding preparations, and I must say I was a little bit taken aback by her unreserved moxy. That anyone could be that direct, somehow without causing any offense, is a gift. I quickly summed up that, to Kristy, everyone is a friend.

The day of my brother’s wedding, a fiasco happened! On the way to the reception, the wedding cake was destroyed by a pot hole in the road. It was reduced to large chunks, completely irreparable. I knew my brother would get over it quickly, but I was really sorry for Holly, because we all know brides want things perfect on their big day. What to do? Never fear, Kristy was there. She just happened to have a bag or two of cheap plastic army toys in her car (why she was carrying those around is anyone’s guess, but let’s chalk it up to inspiration). And, since my brother was commissioned in the Army, and he and Holly were leaving for his first assignment after their wedding, Kristy saved the cake situation by putting the little army guys all over the broken cake. The cake was brought out on several plates. It looked like a cake battle. It was hilarious, and totally salvaged the situation. Everyone at the reception thought it was so awesome and clever. It wasn’t the prettiest cake, by a long shot, but it was by far the most personal and creative. So thoughtful of Kristy—turning lemons to lemonade.

What a powerful spirit she is, that even after her passing, she continues to wield such an influence over those of us who are left to ponder on her shining example, and resolve to be more like her. I look forward to getting to know her better down the road. . . .

Very Sincerely,

Amy Burbank Day