THE BIGGEST MOB HIT IN YEARS

Dear Mom,
By Kimberly Pack (the daughter of April Kauffman)
It’s been one year. One year since I’ve heard your voice, held your hand, kissed you, hugged
you or told you I loved you. It’s been one year since I’ve gotten a morning hello. Ugh, what a
rough year. I can’t begin to describe how much I miss you being a part of my life.
The boys miss you terribly. Cart asks about you every day and asks me if they caught the person who has
done this to you. I sadly reply ‘not yet’. He is getting so big and is so smart. You should see him play sports—
he is such a good boy. Colt is almost 2 and is so ornery. You’d laugh at how much he gives me a run for my
money. He points you out in every picture that is around the house.
I’m so sad, Mom. How did this happen, and why? Why can’t I have my best friend, mother and sister by my
side to help me navigate through life? I need your advice, your guidance, and love. I miss you more than any
words could ever describe. It’s now spring and I think about how you should be here planting in my garden and
helping to make my yard look nice.
You’d be proud of me that I actually cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving and Easter and it turned out good! I
come across so many books and cards you gave me. You always personalized them and would tell me how you
think of me every day and how you want me to get the best and most out of life. I miss getting those cards each
and every holiday; I still check knowing I won’t get another one from you. I think about how so many things came
so naturally to you. A friend recently asked me if I had one of your recipes and I sadly replied ‘no’, because
everything you made was from your imagination, and every dish was more delicious than the next.
You loved helping others and got such joy from getting someone a special gift or lending a helping hand. You
never took ‘no’ for an answer and ‘obstacle’ was not a word in your vocabulary. I missed celebrating my 30 th
birthday with you this year. I remember how excited you were to plan a big party that never happened. You
would be so happy to know that I have some of the best friends anyone could ask for. I am truly blessed to have
such amazing ladies in my life. They threw the most special birthday for me—the only thing missing was you. As
I was blowing out my candles I fought back tears because you should have been there.
For your birthday this year, I invited all of your closest friends to my home and asked them to write their
favorite memory of you. I will cherish those memories and stories—I only wish I had more. I have pictures that I
look at all the time but it’s not the same. It’s not fair, there were so many great times and adventures to be had.
Last Mother’s Day, before I closed your casket, I asked for your strength to help me get through without you.
You were so many things, but strong and resilient were definitely among your top traits. You have helped me
grow into an independent, strong, focused young lady. You’ve taught me so many things about life, but I wasn’t
finished learning. I often sit at my kitchen table and stare out the front door looking for you in your red corvette
to pull up out front. I know you will never come again and I guess that’s hard to accept.
I also want you to know how proud I am of you, Mom. You have done so much for so many different charities
and organizations. This year has been bitter sweet because a lot of those wonderful organizations want to honor
you and give awards for your service. It’s so wonderful that you are being recognized but it’s so hard because
44 | The Boardwalk Journal | May 2013