We got the shocking and terrible news yesterday that a friend with whom Rob has worked for 6 years, was killed by a drunk driver.  Her name was Kaye, and I cannot overemphasize the extent to which she was adored by those around her.  She was warm, giving, selfless, fun, enthusiastic…you name it.  My immediate thought when R shared the news with me, was that I never told her enough how much she meant to us.  She sent us flowers when H was born, and gave H some of his first books.  She would rent out a hotel room and hold an Oscar party every year, and give out prizes to those dressed in the best costumes.  She would bring us back presents from her trips to CA (where she is from), and she was the first person with whom I ever had a discussion about bowerbirds.

The person who killed her was going over 50mph on the streets of Burlington, VT (if you’ve been here, you know how dangerous that is), and the police were in hot pursuit.  The driver blasted through 8 red lights and 2 stop signs before hitting Kaye’s car.  She was killed instantly.  The drunk driver, of course, had only minor injuries.  Prior to this, he had 4 DUIs from 3 states.

I can’t stop thinking about Kaye.  The last time I talked to her was sometime in October or November.  I was leaving R’s office (I don’t remember why), and we had a brief conversation as we both left the building.  I wish I had invited her to dinner, or had her over to our house.  I wish I had gotten to know her better, spent more time with her.  Because now we can’t.  And that sucks beyond anything I can think of right now.

So many people miss you Kaye.  Rest in peace…

A nice piece about Kaye can be found here.