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December 30, 2007
A Friend Passes
Life is so fragile and so often easily taken for granted. I have been enlightened on this issue recently as I watched and waited while a friend suffered courageously with cancer.
I am part of a moms group called MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) at a nearby church. I have met other moms like me with loads of crazy stories and tons of empathy. One friend in particular who was part of my little circle there was diagnosed with breast cancer just this past April. We knew each other as acquaintances mostly, but then we were in a small book study group together last spring and I had the chance to get to know her better. She was funny and intense and very good hearted. We all enjoyed her company and her unforgettable laughter.
I remember the day she got that dreaded call. She happened to be at MOPS when her doctors office called with the news of her biopsy. Her phone rang, she left the meeting and went into the lobby. I didn't take much notice of what was going until I was near the lobby getting my kids coats on and half observing the small group of women starting to surround her. She was speaking with lots of hand motions as she always did, but her expression was that of fear and complete dumfounded-ness. A looked of being stunned and then overcome with sadness. After my kids were dressed and ready to head out, I went through the lobby doors with my eyes on her wondering what was happening. I went over to her and she looked at me with sadness in her eyes. I simply asked her what happened and she told me flat out "my doctor's office just called... I have breast cancer." I was stunned. I teared up and gave her a hug and said how sorry I was. I told her I would be praying for her. With kids tugging on my pants, reminding me that they were still there and a part of the moment, I said my good byes and left for the car. I had no idea how quickly her illness would take over. So many emails went out with info on her diagnoses, her progress, her setbacks. She remained hopeful, but the bad news kept coming. I saw her once in October. She looked well, but fought hard to keep her tears at bay. The cancer eventually masticised into her bones... and her organs were then taken over as well.
Karen Esposito passed away December 22 after fighting an abrupt battle with cancer. It is heartbreaking to know how fragile this life is... How quickly we have to say good-bye. How sad it is when the good-byes are never said.
Please pray for her husband and her two young daughters (one who asks where her mommy has gone and one so young she may only remember her by photos) they have a difficult journey ahead and need our prayers.
Below is the obituary from Delaware Online that tells a little of her story...
KAREN ESPOSITO
Karen Louise Kuch
Esposito
Age 35, of Lincoln University, PA, formerly of Lansdale, passed away on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at the Heartland Hospice House, Pike Creek, DE after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
She was the devoted wife of Anthony V. Esposito. Born in Lansdale, she was the loving daughter of Leonard G. and Ruth S. Kuch, III of Lansdale. Karen graduated from North Penn High School, Lansdale in 1990 where she was a member of the North Penn Marching Knights. She graduated from Muhlenberg College, Allentown with a BA in Psychology and Religion. She was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church and MOPS of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in New London. Most recently she was a stay at home mom, but previously had been employed with Ware Presbyterian Village, where she served as an Activities Coordinator.
She will missed by her husband; parents; 2 daughters, Sarah and Molly; a brother, Thomas Kuch and his wife, Heather of Harleysville; paternal grandmother, Joan Kuch of Elizabethtown; nephews Gavin and Landon Kuch; parents-in-law, Vince and Gail Esposito; sisters-in-law, Christine Huston and her husband Jeff and Kim Esposito; brother in law Mark Esposito.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am, on Thursday, December 27, at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine St. Oxford, where friends may call after 9 am. Interment will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen's memory may be made to Susan G. Komen For the Cure, 5005 LBJ Fwy, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.
Online condolences may be
made at
www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com
Funeral arrangements are
being handled by the
EDWARD L. COLLINS
FUNERAL HOME, Inc.
Oxford, PA
610-932-9584
[published 12/26/2007]
Posted by mindy on 12:14 AM | Comments (3)