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…

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Rachel,
While we don't know each other, I want to tell you how special a person I think you are for honouring Kelly-Anne year after year, and day after day, with this beautiful memorial. This speaks to precious bond that you two shared, and on this day I want you to know how deeply sorry I am for how you must be feeling. Never forget that your best girl died knowing how very much you loved her...and how very much you were and are devoted to her. On your upcoming wedding day, try to remember how happy you'll be making her. And in the coming days, also remember that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you.
Meredith

Unknown said...

Ray-ray,
Thanks for keeping this blog updated. I too think of Kell when fall comes around, and I think of you and the family.
My mind went to Kell and your friendship when I heard of your engagement... she'll be there with you on your special day - play a Bon Jovi song, and she'll be right there on the dance floor, you know it!

Thank you for that recent video - perfect song to accompany the pictures that showed her energy and passion for life - her smile is what I really miss!

Love ya!
Pammy