KKSmith.net

Yesterday afternoon, I was on the couch working on my homework. All of a sudden, I heard Kristin’s voice. I looked up and told my mom to look at the TV. There was Kristin and Stephanie and Katie and Rachel and Chris and David on the Kidsline commercial. I hadn’t seen it for a long time. I felt excited to see her. I was very glad. I will always miss her.

WORDS FROM OUR
ANGEL IN HEAVEN ABOVE

To my dearest family,

Some things I’d like to say but first of all to let
you know that I arrived in heaven okay.

I’m writing this from heaven where I dwell with god above,
Where there’s no tears or sadness there is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I’m out of sight,
Remember that I’m with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on Earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said I welcome you.

It’s good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family they’ll be here later on.

I need you here so badly as part of my big plan,
There’s so much that we have to do to help our mortal man.

Then God gave me a list of things He wished for me to do and
Foremost on
That list of mine is to watch and care for you.

And I will be beside you every day, week and year.
And when your sad I’m standing there to wipe away each tear.

And when you go to bed at night the days chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on Earth and all those loving years,
because you’re only human they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry it does relieve the pain,
remember there would be no flowers unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned,
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn’t understand.

But one thing is certain though my life on Earth is over,
I am closer to you now that I ever was before.

And to my very many friends trust God knows what is best
I’m still not far away from you, I’m just beyond the crest.

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb,
But together we can do it taking one day at a time.

When you are walking down the street and you’ve got me on
Your mind,
I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when you feel the gentle breeze or the wind upon your
Face,
That’s me giving you a great big hug or just a soft embrace.

And when it’s time for you to go from that body to be free,
Remember you’re not going, you are coming here to me.

And I will always love you from that land way up above,
Will be in touch again soon, PS: God sends his love.

I think this site is amazing. More than just the stories and writings, it’s nice to have a living memorial in the form of this discussion page. It’s great to hear different stories and memories of Kristin.

I keep thinking about one night (last October?) when I was teaching Kristin a solo dance at the Kids Unlimited Studio. It was getting late and our blood sugars were dropping. So instead of working through it and getting irritated with eachother I decided we should leave to get some food and come to finish the dance later. We were on our way to Nico’s (she and I both always loved Nico’s Mexican food) when we passed by a Greek Festival that was going on. We decided to eat there instead even though Kristin had never had Greek food and she was a bit skeptic. It ended up being the funnest night! We ate gyros and bachlava and listened to the live music. We talked, joked around, and found cute boys we liked. I remember thinking how happy I was that our moms had always been friends so she and I were always together growing up and even then. I also remember thinking that I was excited that she was growing up and our relationship was changing. Instead of her being the little tot I babysat in hotel rooms at Cinderella she was getting to be more like a girlfriend to me. With what happened, I am so very thankful for that night at the Greek Festival. It’s funny that the dance turned out beautifully and I remember it too, but it’s us laughing at eachother becuase we had tahini sauce all over our faces that I treasure the most.

(and thanks for the email taryn… I’m on the Cape until the weekend and then it’s back to the City until august…)

Kristin’s name has been added to the south wall.

Thanks to those of you who have recently shared your special “Kristin memories” in this forum. I find myself on this site often as a way of feeling close to Kristin.

In Kristin’s early years, I spent nearly every day with her at the family business where I worked. We had a nursery/playroom set up and my kids, Haley and Marcus, and Kristin spent their childhood days at “the shop”, surrounded by parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles. Shortly after Kristin’s dad died, my family moved to a different town and our visits with Kristin became less frequent. Your stories, many of which I have never heard
before, fill in some of those gaps in Kristin’s life that I missed out on. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Please keep writing.

Last year, Kristin took me and Cheyenne swimming while my mom went to get Lucky Wishbone. Then Kristin helped us get up on the roof. We had a picnic and watched the fireworks on the roof. It was a blast. I miss having Kristin to take us swimming because she always played Marco Polo and Shark Attack with us.

Dear Family:

We are thankful that we could come and visit all of you. Especially you Taryn. I was very happy to see you. I have a special memory of Kristin too. Taryn and Kristin were visiting us a couple of years ago and we all decided to go downtown to see the fireworks. (Of course Aunt Kay and Aunt Helen didn’t go because there was a slight chance of rain!) So we kids went anyway. We took the train and all the kids (Kristin, Winnie, Mitchell, Jenna, Carly and Brittany) had a great time. We finally reached Chicago and found a great spot on the beach. We had snacks, etc. We were just kicking back and relaxing.

I kept looking at the sky and it kept getting darker, and darker and darker and I kept saying to Taryn and Dyan (my sister-in-law), “I think we should take cover, it looks like it’s going to rain.” I really didn’t get a response except, “it’ll blow over.” The kids kept saying, “it’ll blow over.” Finally, I just said, “I’m packing up and taking cover.” Well everyone followed. We no sooner got off the sand and the rain came down. I’m talking rain like during Noah’s flood! We were almost knee deep in rain, all the children clinging to us grownups and us grownups laughing about the rain to hide our fear of the huge storm welling up over our heads.

The one thing I most remember about that trip was Kristin. When we finally swam back to the train to get home because we didn’t think the fireworks were going to fly, she came up with a plan. We were all soaking wet. I mean soaking. Miss Kristin happened to have to go to the washroom and discovered a dryer for your hands after washing them. We wondered why the heck it was taking her so long to get out of the bathroom. We waited and waited and finally, here she comes. Mostly dry and refreshed while the rest of us were freezing and dripping until we reached home (I mean there were like nine of us!!!!) How ingenious of her to use the dryer for her hands to dry most of her clothes. I envied her nice luke warm clothes at that time!!!! By the way, the sky cleared when we were on the train and the fireworks did fly and we all missed them!!!!!!

We didn’t see Kristin much and really have only the memories that you guys have shared with us. But I know for sure that my memory of that July in Chicago will never leave me. I am thankful that Kristin visited us at that time so that I can have this wonderful, cute and happy memory of Kristin.

I also was at Disneyland and Cabbage Patch Land with Kristin and both her parents many years ago. Those are some fond memories too. We had such a nice time and I miss those times.

I will check this website often and can’t wait to see the pictures and descriptions. Taryn, take care and keep in touch!

Love, Allison

Taryn, I love you very much and hope that you will talk to me anytime if you need to. This website is beautiful and wonderful and Kristin would be proud of everyone who participated in the development of it.

I remember a night about 5 years ago when Kristin and I attended a U of A Football Game together. I can’t say that Kristin was greatly interested in the game; but she was a good sport and watched it politely and tolerantly. On the other hand, the snacking appealed to her, as did the Halftime Show!
With the start of the second half, a light drizzle began to fall. Many around us left, but we snuggled to stay dry and warm. When I was finally convinced that the rain had no plans to let up for awhile, I asked Kristin if she would like to go home. She said she was fine, but was getting a little sleepy and would like to rest.
Of course, it seemed to take only seconds before she was fast asleep, what with the fresh, crisp, night air and pleasant sound of raindrops tapping the umbrella.
While curled up on my lap, she stayed perfectly dry under our umbrella. Every now and then however, she would stretch out her legs into the weather and so I would have to fold her knees back up to keep her tennies dry.
She looked like a little cherub. The lights played off a sweet, innocent face framed by golden hair escaping from under her hood.
I can’t tell you who the U of A played that night. I don’t even remember who won; but I can still close my eyes and picture her peaceful sleep and gentle breathing.
That was a special time between an uncle and a niece. The Epistle of James states that “every good gift comes from above.” I’m thankful for those memories, and for the assurance that our interaction will resume again someday at God’s appointed time and in the place that He is preparing. We hope you’ll join us. Regards, Uncle Rich

What a great website to honor the memory of Kristin. All the readings touched my spirit. “Blessed are the children of God for they shall be comforted.” Virgie, thank you for inviting me to this website.

Each day there are many memories that float through my mind…

My first memory of Kristin is as an infant struggling in the incubator
at University Medical Center (we wondered if she would make it or if there might be some disability). We were soon convinced she was totally healthy and wonderful.

Kristin was a sweet and beautiful tot that loved to be with others,
especially other children. She laughed and smiled a lot.

But then there are memories of her losing and missing her father that she loved and who loved her dearly.

I remember a beautiful teen thirsting for knowledge and excellence in
everything she did, whether it was scholastics, gymnastics, dance, band, voice, teaching other children, and on and on…..

The flashback I most often have is of Kristin, leaving our home after a visit, and always wanting to stand back-to-back to see if she was as
tall as I…and she did pass me up with great joy.

Kristin blessed our lives and I look forward to a heavenly reunion. I
do not have the answer to why Kristin died. I do know that some day WE WILL BE REUNITED, and then the whys will not matter. In the meantime, I go on day by day clinging to the verse I learned so many years ago, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5,6

Thank you to our family and friends who visit this site to share
memories of Kristin and give us encouragement. We hope it is an
encouragement to you as well.

Kristin’s Grandma