The Kimballs

We did something I have wanted to do for quite some time-we got together with the Kimballs who lost their son Evan in a car accident a few months after yours (October). He was the same age, an athlete, larger than life, the list can go on and on as with you. I feel a little silly telling you this because I am sure you two are already friends now, but I like to give background stories on this blog.

We heard of them through Paul Rudnik on Facebook and followed their story since. We met them in person at the Gift of Life event in the spring when we saw them stand up during Evan's slide. Since then we've exchanged emails, Facebook messages, etc. When I went to that Tigers game with Gretchen a few weeks ago, that was because Mrs. Kimball  (Lydia) asked us if we wanted to buy some extra tickets from her since it was Donate Life night. We vowed to get together and I narrowed down a date we were available and it ended up that they were too.

They live in West Branch, so they said a good halfway point was Birch Run so we met at a restaurant called Tony's where they have huge food, literally. We talked for an hour or so there non-stop and we obviously had more to talk about so Ward (Mr. Kimball) suggested we continue the conversation at an information/reception area at Birch Run which is a huge outlet mall. They have an area with bathrooms, seating, etc. so we went across the street to there. We sat at a table and talked for a total (with the time at the restaurant) of 4 1/2 hours! We had so much to share, obviously-where we were when we got the call about the accident, the hospital, Gift of Life, family issues, funeral home stuff, etc. It helped so much to share with someone who knew exactly what we had gone through.

(I looked up for a minute and there are two Sables in a row in traffic. I have already seen 2 or 3 of them today. You are here! I know this! Thank you! And now the song "Remember Me" by Twenty-One Pilots is on). (I don't think it's by Twenty-One Pilots- I think I meant to say Canadian Tenors). Please stay with me, especially this week and always! I need you so much!)

We talked about so much, it is hard to process. Stories of their recipients and how they found them (they had 5 direct donations, having 4 of them is a record with Gift of Life), Evan's girlfriend, issues with being 18 vs. you being 17, gruesome things about having an open casket and things that the funeral director had to do to make sure nothing disturbing happened with the bodies (zip-up suits and mock turtlenecks), dumb things people have said, etc. Aaah-there is so much. I might add to this in the future. What a blessing to have them! And I forgot that she is cousins with Kim Nouhan (Kyle's mom) too. We both admitted that we would rather have our boys back then to have all of these new "friends" but that's our life now. Love you sweet boy! Stay close!