Kim and Martin

We moved to Lowestoft in 1986. Joining our local church we got to know a mum and her six daughters. Kim was the youngest – bright, ginger-haired, unmissable. I’ve known her through the years. She became a good friend.

Early yesterday morning Kim passed away. Our friend Rebecca expressed the feelings of many: ’Your bubbly personality, your sense of humour, your compassion for others, your determination to endure, despite everything you had experienced… you were a true blessing to so many people.’

Today’s Martin Luther King day. Many will remember his message of equality, love, and justice.  MLK said four things that Kim could have said:

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Kim’s eating disorder, that dominated much of her life, drove her to raise awareness of its horrors with knowledge and passion. Kim was never silent, supporting those suffering as she had suffered, informing doctors, carers and all who would listen…

“I have decided to stick to love…Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

Kim was loved by many. She was quite capable of upsetting people, but her loving heart reached out, understanding and caring about others going through tough times. Many friends speak of her compassion and words of comfort.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

Throughout her life she kept the faith that she gained as a child. At times God appeared distant and her faith was weak – but she hung in there. As she became weaker physically she became stronger spiritually; her God became more real.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

We’ve lost a friend who was a blessing and inspirational to so man. We’re sad that Kim’s no longer with us, but pleased that she’s now at peace… St Paul said: ‘he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.’

Kim’s God-given work is now completed. That was Kim’s infinite hope, and ours too.