Kelsey Kramer

Remembering Kelsey today …….

   4 years ago and I remember the day like it was yesterday.  Each and every minute of the day, each and every moment etched into my memory for memories are all that I have left of my Kelsey.  I replay this day over and over in my mind, praying that the ending would be a different one and that the accident had never happened.  

   The day started out just like every other day......Kelsey got up for school at 6:14 just like every other day, She changed her outfit 3 times that morning, that was nothing unusual either, before landing on the perfect outfit to wear.  Of course, Kelsey looked beautiful in each of the outfits but she finally decided on the short blue print skirt and white tank top.  She looked great.  Honestly, Kels always looked great in anything she wore but that morning I even remember saying to Kelsey, you look really really pretty today.  She just had a glow and radiance about her as she smiled at me that morning. I asked her to let me take a picture and she said it’s no big deal Mom, we will do it another time. As I left for work, I wished Kelsey good luck on her test, gave her a hug goodbye and said I love you.  Thanks Mom.....Love you too would be the last words that I would ever hear Kelsey say.......  If only I knew that was going to be the last time that we would talk with each other—I would have said so much more and would have never let her go. 

Kelsey texted me from school several times that day which was also nothing unusual.  She asked me if we could talk about her birthday and the birthday party she was planning. Kelsey shared with me that she had a dream last night about her birthday and the party she was going to have and reminded me that it was coming up soon so we needed to decide about things.  We decided that we would talk about it when Kels got home from her soccer game that night. 

Then, Kelsey texted me asking me if I could take her shopping on Saturday for a dress for the Home Coming Dance.  I asked Kelsey who she was going with and she said we’ll talk about it later.  

Then a text came that the soccer game was changed and that Varsity was playing at 4pm at Pope John Paul HS instead of later.  It was a rainy and gloomy day but of course I went to the game just as I always did.  I  loved to watch Kelsey play.  Kels started on Varsity that day and she looked great.  She played so well and you could see that she was beaming.  I could see by the expression on Kelsey's face, in her smile and in her eyes, just how very happy she was to be out there playing, playing well and playing with her good friends.  

I did not get to talk with Kelsey after the game but I sent her a text congratulating her on starting in the game and letting her know that she played really well and that she looked great out there.  I told Kelsey how very proud I am of her.  Kelsey thanked me and said love you mom …..see you later.  That would be Kelsey's last message to me............I left for back to school night at OJR and said Love you too....see you later.  

4 years ago today would be the last time that I would ever see Kelsey's smile, hear her voice, hear her laughter and feel her touch.....the last time that I would ever see my beautiful, vibrant girl so happy, smiling, having fun and so full of life.  If I had known, I would have never left Kelsey that day at the game. 

Here is the video of Kelsey playing at the PJP game on that day 4 years ago today along with some other clips from other games.  I am so grateful that I have this video but the images of Kelsey actually playing that day are forever imprinted in my mind and always will be.      

 http://vimeo.com/37283336

We love you Kelsey and miss you more than you can ever know.  You are with us always, now and forever.......Kelsey,you are forever loved, forever remembered, forever strong and forever in our hearts....

Love, Mom