Susan,
We met in 1992 at Motorola and we hit it off immediately. You not only became a friend to me but a part of my family. You were there for holidays and my girl's birthday parties. You got to see them grow up and were closer to us than some actual real family members.
I used to love it when we drove around at lunch and looked at all those fancy houses. We would get laughing so hard it would bring tears to our eyes. I could talk to you about anything and I knew whatever was said would never be repeated.
You were there for me through some rough times in my life too - my divorce, surgeries, and losing my job. You always gave me such good advice. I remember when I was complaining all the time about my marriage and you said to me "if you aren't willing to make any changes to your situation, then you have to stop complaining about it. Complaining doesn't change anything." You may not have realized it, but that did make a real impact on me and made me think. And inevitably, change happened.
The best advice was when I was upset because my girls liked my ex-husband's wife (girlfriend at the time). I was telling you that one of them said "I love you" to her when they hung up the phone after talking to her and how that hurt my feelings. You said to me "think about it this way - how would it be if they didn't like her or she didn't like them? Wouldn't that be worse?" I don't know if you know this or if I ever told you, but that changed my whole thinking about the situation. Because you were right.
So I just wanted to write this to you so that you would know how much you have meant to me in my life and that I think about you often. I have very vivid memories of our times together and I wanted you to know that you have positively impacted my life and you are so appreciated! I am a better person for knowing you.
Love and miss you,
Kelly
