I first met Kim in December of 2002 at the Christian bookstore in Kearney. She was there signing books, and having heard of Jason‘s death, I bought one for me and a couple more for gifts. I read the book and was touched by it, but didn't actually contact Kim until the following year when our close family friends lost their son in a four wheeler accident. After Kirk's death, I mentioned the book to his mom, Stacy, and she had already read it and was very touched by it. I e-mailed Kim to let her know how we were affected by her book, and that was the start of our friendship. This led to her and Dave coming out to Watkins Mill and sharing their story with our kids. Kim and I talked several times before they came out to talk to us, because she wanted to truly reach our youth. We had lost one of our former boys in a hit and run accident right before then, and she used that as a way to start out. A boy that I was working closely with at that time was struggling with the death of his brother the year before. He was feeling a lot of guilt, and Dave and Kim's testimony really got to him, so they spent at least an hour talking to him afterwards. Later on, I was also able to take this young man to meet and spend the morning with Wes. I'm not sure I ever conveyed how much all of this meant, and I believe it is part of the reason he was able to move past his grief without feeling so much guilt. Kim also came out to share with a group of our boys about her passion for writing. Not only did she share the information with them, but all of them received at least one book, some taking 3 or 4 for family members! One boy in particular was very interested in writing and had already started a book about his life. Kim took a special interest in him, and guided him in writing it and even put the part that he was finished with into a book form so he could envision what it would be like as a "real" book. She took the time to make several trips to the mill to speak with him and to talk to him on the phone. I was also able to bring him to the newspaper office so she could give him a tour and let him play around on the computer. I know this interest in a boy who once said, "love is pain waiting to happen" made a huge impact. I know that we were just a small part of Kim's world, but the loss I feel is huge. Thanks so much, Kim!!! I love you and miss you!