Katie Beth started to be a part of my life around middle school and she never left my friendship circle even throughout college. We met in choir. She had the most beautiful and pure voice. When my best friend in 10th grade passed away, she was a little ray of sunshine when all I had in my mind were clouds and darkness. She had the best laugh. It was truly intoxicating. She held family and friends high in her priorities and she NEVER left a new person without knowing about every aspect of their life. She was a true people person. Her friendship meant so much to me and so many others.
Katie Beth also loved God with her whole heart. She always tried to be a better person when she saw her flaws. She SAW her flaws, something most of us, including myself, still can't see. She strived for a relationship with Christ. She came to Pinelake a few times at the end of this semester and told me a few weeks ago that she was so excited to join my small group next semester. I am so brokenhearted that she won't be able to do that. She and I became really close over this semester, along with my beautiful friend Amelia. We were that group in public that you'd probably hate; loud, obnoxious, unruly, all over the place...and she was the ring leader because she TRULY loved life and didn't care what others thought.
Katie Beth had a heart of gold with a past that would make other people's hearts stone cold. Her mom passed away when she was young, but KB used this as a way to bond to others. She was a rock for her younger siblings and a great peer for me and all of her other friends. She will be missed by everyone. She affected so many people in the best ways. People who only met her once are even broken over this loss.
I can only hope that I will have this sort of impact when I am gone. She will be cherished in my heart forever. I know in my heart of hearts that she is celebrating a homecoming with her mom and precious grandfather right now and that is why I am comforted.
Trusting in the Lord in times like these is all you can do. Without that peace, even though the peace seems small, being able to have a small bit of joy is impossible. Cling to your family and friends and cling to the cross even tighter. I pray that the rainbow of this storm shows soon. God will grant rest and peace and show us, in His time, what taking her away was for. Live your life for every day. Live your life for what you love and who you love. Live your life without grudges and never hold your pride over a friendship. Love life.
Thanks for reading,
Living life in letters,
Jennifer Landreth
