Sadly, the time has come to mark another year that has passed since Kelly-Anne's murder. Another year that we are deprived of her presence in our lives. Our friend was taken from us so horrifically, and the raw pain of those tragic days in early October 2004 continues to haunt us as we mark the passing of another year.
As time marches on I find that I don't miss Kelly-Anne any less than I did before. And somehow, the perspective of four years seems to make the situation even sadder. I honestly find myself wondering how this could have ever happened to my dear sweet Kelly-Anne. Someone so full of joy and life, eager to experience all life had to offer was snuffed out at the tender age of twenty-four. Unbelievable.
As a tribute to my friend, I have put together a new video on Youtube.com to celebrate her life. Kelly-Anne was able to make everything an adventure... Hopefully those of us that were lucky enough to know her will continue to do the same.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Odds and Ends
The Fourth Annual Kelly-Anne Drummond Memorial rugby match was held in Montreal this past weekend. I was lucky to be in town and had fun watching the game. More than $1,400 was raised for Chez Doris. McGill ended up defeating Concordia (14-10). Of course, I felt conflicted about who to cheer for. It was great to see Doreen, Kelly-Anne's mom, give out the trophy to the winning team. I'm so happy that this annual event takes place; Kelly-Anne would take much pride in the fact that her former team-mates (and her McGill rivals) are honouring her memory in this way.
This is the time of year where I always get particularly sad about Kelly-Anne's death. As soon as the leaves begin to turn and the weather gets a bit cooler I think about transitions and the fact that another year has passed without her presence in my life.
Hard to believe we’re going on four long years. That’s more than the amount of time we spent in university, and almost the same amount of time that we spent at John Rennie. November 28 has come and gone without celebrating Kell’s twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh, or (her lucky) twenty-eighth birthday. Four years since I visited Kelly-Anne’s new apartment on Pierrefonds boulevard and saw the funky paint colours she had chosen for each room. And four years since I woke up that fateful October morning to hear Kelly-Anne’s life had been cut short. It is just plain awful. And so very, very sad.
This year is made even more difficult, I think, by the fact that I am now planning a wedding Kelly-Anne can't be a part of. Every little girl dreams of her wedding and the ladies that will stand by her side as she marries her sweetheart. I have to say I can't picture that day without Kelly-Anne there to celebrate…
This is the time of year where I always get particularly sad about Kelly-Anne's death. As soon as the leaves begin to turn and the weather gets a bit cooler I think about transitions and the fact that another year has passed without her presence in my life.
Hard to believe we’re going on four long years. That’s more than the amount of time we spent in university, and almost the same amount of time that we spent at John Rennie. November 28 has come and gone without celebrating Kell’s twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh, or (her lucky) twenty-eighth birthday. Four years since I visited Kelly-Anne’s new apartment on Pierrefonds boulevard and saw the funky paint colours she had chosen for each room. And four years since I woke up that fateful October morning to hear Kelly-Anne’s life had been cut short. It is just plain awful. And so very, very sad.
This year is made even more difficult, I think, by the fact that I am now planning a wedding Kelly-Anne can't be a part of. Every little girl dreams of her wedding and the ladies that will stand by her side as she marries her sweetheart. I have to say I can't picture that day without Kelly-Anne there to celebrate…
Friday, March 21, 2008
Parting Words
I remember clearly the last time I spoke to Kelly-Anne. It was Saturday, October 2, 2004, the day before she was attacked. It was the first time I had spoken to her since her return from Italy, and I was excited to hear all about her adventure.
She told me the vacation was great, that she had a good time, and that Italy was wonderful. But manner in which she described her experience and the tone that she used made me aware something was wrong. She just wasn’t her usual, bubbly, excited self. It was even more obvious because we weren’t just talking about the mundane or everyday—we were talking about the trip of a lifetime.
I asked her what was wrong, and she told me she didn’t want to get into it. I expressed my sadness that things were so bad between her and Marty that she couldn’t even be excited about such an amazing trip. She told me she agreed, but there wasn’t anything she could do and that we’d talk about it later. I said that was fine and told her that I expected her next trip to be one to come and visit me! She laughed and said that was definitely next on her agenda.
Although we ended on a high note, I hung up feeling sad and upset. How could this be happening to Kelly-Anne? Who was she becoming? What exactly was going on? I had so many questions and no answers. I didn’t know then that I would never have the chance to speak with her again.
After I hung up the phone that sunny Saturday afternoon, I went downstairs and picked up my mail. Amongst the bills and junk mail there was a postcard that Kelly-Anne had sent me from Florence.
I wish I had told her how much I loved her the last time we spoke. Mentioned that she was a great girl and a wonderful person and I was so lucky to have her as my best friend. The last time I spoke with Kelly-Anne wasn’t a particularly happy occasion, but I didn’t know then that we would never again have the chance to talk.
My life changed that day. Not only will I always miss Kelly-Anne. But I’ll never again be exactly the same person I was before her death.
She told me the vacation was great, that she had a good time, and that Italy was wonderful. But manner in which she described her experience and the tone that she used made me aware something was wrong. She just wasn’t her usual, bubbly, excited self. It was even more obvious because we weren’t just talking about the mundane or everyday—we were talking about the trip of a lifetime.
I asked her what was wrong, and she told me she didn’t want to get into it. I expressed my sadness that things were so bad between her and Marty that she couldn’t even be excited about such an amazing trip. She told me she agreed, but there wasn’t anything she could do and that we’d talk about it later. I said that was fine and told her that I expected her next trip to be one to come and visit me! She laughed and said that was definitely next on her agenda.
Although we ended on a high note, I hung up feeling sad and upset. How could this be happening to Kelly-Anne? Who was she becoming? What exactly was going on? I had so many questions and no answers. I didn’t know then that I would never have the chance to speak with her again.
After I hung up the phone that sunny Saturday afternoon, I went downstairs and picked up my mail. Amongst the bills and junk mail there was a postcard that Kelly-Anne had sent me from Florence.
I wish I had told her how much I loved her the last time we spoke. Mentioned that she was a great girl and a wonderful person and I was so lucky to have her as my best friend. The last time I spoke with Kelly-Anne wasn’t a particularly happy occasion, but I didn’t know then that we would never again have the chance to talk.
My life changed that day. Not only will I always miss Kelly-Anne. But I’ll never again be exactly the same person I was before her death.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Montreal Barbarians host Fundraiser in honor of Kelly-Anne
I'm pleased to announce that the Montreal Barbarians Rugby Club will be hosting
This event will raise funds for the West Island Women's Shelter in memory of Kelly-Anne Drummond. For more information, please visit the Club's website here.
"An Afternoon of Songs & Laughs"
on March 29 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
At McKibbon's West Island.
This event will raise funds for the West Island Women's Shelter in memory of Kelly-Anne Drummond. For more information, please visit the Club's website here.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Old Photos
When someone dies, their friends and family are left with only their memories. And the sad reality is that those memories begin to fade with time. I can remember many things about Kell, but unfortunately those memories aren't as vivid as they were just a couple of years ago.
I just spent some time going through old photos and letters. So many of those photos feature my laughing, smiling, happy, silly, and carefree best friend. And those photos and the memories they depict are all I have left to remember her by. I really love going through the letters and postcards Kell sent me over the years. I'm so happy I held on to these things; it gives me joy to sit quietly and remember my friend.
But inevitably when I get to the final photo or the final postcard I feel an overwhelming sense of sadness. There isn't another photo that can be taken or letter that can be written. And that is a bitter pill to swallow.
I just spent some time going through old photos and letters. So many of those photos feature my laughing, smiling, happy, silly, and carefree best friend. And those photos and the memories they depict are all I have left to remember her by. I really love going through the letters and postcards Kell sent me over the years. I'm so happy I held on to these things; it gives me joy to sit quietly and remember my friend.
But inevitably when I get to the final photo or the final postcard I feel an overwhelming sense of sadness. There isn't another photo that can be taken or letter that can be written. And that is a bitter pill to swallow.
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