My Friend Evelyn

Dear Evie,
There's nothing in this letter that I haven't already said to you, but for my own purpose and declaration, I'm writing you now. I'm grateful that we had the kind of friendship that we could always tell each other exactly how we felt so I know that your departure was not unfinished as far as our relationship goes. I just want to put to words some of the best times we had together.
We met a million years ago. Ok, not a million, but at least 38 years ago when our husbands worked together at the Water Agency. We were getting rid of our old phonograph and records and offered it to your kids. Clark was in diapers. You were thrilled with the John Denver, but refused Black Sabbath.
Fast forward now 10 years. Our paths crossed again when we started investigating the Church. Kaylen was just a baby and you had us over for dinner and missionary discussions. I remember sitting in your living room and the missionaries said that we have a living prophet. Flabbergasted, I asked WHERE? You replied, Salt Lake City. Of course my mental image at the time was of an old guy in a Charlton Heston-does-Moses getup. I thought you were nuts. I get it now.
John baptized Robert when we joined the church. It was widely rumored that it was because he was the only one big enough to do it. It was just another bit of glue that joined us together.
You were Kaylen's local grandmother even before you had your own grandchildren. Frankly, you were much better at it than her real grandmothers that she only saw a few times a year. You were there when the boys were born, taking them in as your own. Kaylen loved looking at your nesting dolls and you were always kind enough to let her play with them. Well, not all of them, only the ones that weren't worth anything.
You came to their kindergartens to tell stories. You came to their plays, their concerts, their basketball games, baseball games and even a soccer game or two.
You taught me to crochet. You tried to teach me to knit, but that was unsuccessful.
We read the Harry Potter series together. We stood in line FOREVER to get J K Rowling's signature. We went to the midnight releases as each new book came out.
When I had sunk to the depths of young motherhood and the only thrill was to wait for the Safeway Coupon book to come in the mail, we started a bookclub together. Even when I had to bow out because of work, you kept it going. Thanks for giving me an anniversary bookmark even when I didn't come anymore.
We ate Superbowl Soup every year at my house while we watched the game. You once made lemon chess pie for dessert and forgot to put the lemon in it. It was disgusting. But we have laughed about it more than once over the years.
You stole my flamingos from my yard and sent me ransom notes with pictures. I never told you this, but my kids ratted you out. And I notice that even though you "have" one of my flamingos today, you've shoved him against the fence. That's ok.
You've irritated me beyond belief with your politics. We agreed not to discuss politics, but you always cheated. That's ok too.
We went to the Temple together. We went to movies. We went to Costco. We went to Ben Franklin and Jo-Anne's and even Big Lots.
You were my best Longaberger customer.
You always talked me out of something you liked at my house whenever you came over. Even when it was something I liked, I gave it to you anyway. Sometimes I regretted it. But mostly you gave me so much more it seemed like it was the least I could do. As I look around my house today, there's not a room that doesn't have something in it that you gave me.
You sent me Good Earth Tea when I couldn't buy it at Costco here in Maui.
You came to see me in Maui. I'm glad you did - we had a lot of fun. I think you even liked the trip to Hana. You let me stay at your house and lent me your truck.
So, Evie, thank you for all of this and so much more. I don't know who I'll share recipes or jokes or favorite books with now, but I guess in my mind and heart I'll still share them with you.
Save me a place and put in a good word for me. I know we'll see each other again. Until then, you'll always be with me.

Love you forever,
Kathi