Teaser for Upcoming Interview – Kaden: All her bags are packed

You don’t know Kaden (yet!) but you will, soon enough. She’s my next Interview!

How did I get so blessed to know such wise women and men? Well, in this case, it was luck or fate… I moved next door to one, although she was only 11 then. I met Kaden in 1970! I get confused about age but I think she’s one year younger than me, not that it matters (except to her, possibly!). She was a whirlwind of blond hair and energy. Little did I know the effect she’d have on my life.

Did I know she’d turn out like she has? Yes and no. All I’ll say is that some people have a difficult childhood and fall under the weight of it. Others dig out and are reborn. Kaden is one of the latter.

She is – first and foremost – profoundly human. She is a realist and sees the need in places others do not. This quality led her create a beautiful program that meets the needs of children everywhere… and her enthusiasm about it is infectious. I’ll be asking about her “baby” Kases for Kids in the interview. You may find yourself asking, “How can I help?” and that would be quite all right with her!

She is also a tender soul who still resembles the pre-teen girl I met so many years ago. She and I were inseparable back then, connected in our love of writing and playing Heart and Soul on the piano together. She loved to sing and I can still hear her belting out Morning After with the headphones on, which (as you know) meant only she could hear the music. We only heard Kaden in all her passionate glory. 🙂

Honestly, I never hear that song without thinking of her. I normally wouldn’t do this here but you know, it fits. It fits Kaden. Here are the lyrics:

“The Morning After” is the love song to the 1972 film The Poseidon Adventure, written by 20th Century Fox songwriters Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn. Sung by Maureen McGovern

There were years when we didn’t talk… for one reason or another but mostly because of distance (when distance mattered, before the internet) and were reconnected when Facebook came around. Now we talk on Facebook – and by “talk” I mean not only in writing but on the video chat, so we see each other. She’s helping to bring me out of my shell, when it comes to phone stuff because (let’s say it all together) I hate the phone. She loves it!

Kaden is also a crafter… a skill/ talent I am sooooooooooooooooo envious of! She does a little of everything (crochet, embroidery, handiwork) and is generous enough to share what she creates. She embroidered the sampler in the featured photo… just for me! I display it with cats because Kaden loved cats and they remind me of her. Did she have Siamese? You know, I think so! There must be some reason I chose them from my collection (yeah, I have a rather extensive cat collection. Does this surprise you? Didn’t think so!)

When we first reconnected, she said something that changed my life. She told me I was a sensitive kid and she always knew when I was hurting because I hid out… disappeared into a cave of my own making… and I remember thinking… How did she know that?… I thought it was a secret… one I kept well. So well, I’d forgotten until she reminded me. And I knew at that moment… I could never let her go again. She was a true friend who knew me inside out. One of the few. One of the mighty. She’s a keeper!

Reconnecting with Kaden has been a gift and joy. I know you’ll agree. Look for her interview next week!