When you apply and interview for a new job, you think about the work you will be doing, the money you will be making, even how much vacation time you might get. You never think you will one day be standing at your boss's funeral. As I stood there today looking around at all the people I've met since day one, I thought about how when I got this job 3 years ago, I also got a second family.
Kim was diagnosed with uterine cancer and began chemo in 2011. I will never forget the day I was taken into an office with a small group of people and one of our managers told us Kim had been diagnosed. There wasn't a dry eye in the room and I wanted to see her just so I would feel better. When I did see her, she was smiling and reassured all of us that she "had her boxing gloves on" and would beat this, no problem. With her courageous attitude, it eased my mind. I thought this would just be a little bump in the road and we would all move on in no time. She became noticeably thinner and started wearing her wigs. She was just as beautiful as ever. Everyday I saw her walk in, I felt a calm fall over the whole department. There was no fear with Kim in charge. We knew anything we couldn't handle, Kim could. The last day I saw Kim, I was in her office facing her and she told me I was being moved to another location but she knew I would do wonderful. I held those words with me as I began my new position. That was exactly a year ago.
She was told last year after I left she was in the clear. No more cancer! When it came back though, it came back fast and hard. I am thankful she was able to enjoy some time without the cancer. She even got to spend her last Christmas at the beach if I remember correctly. That's the way to do it! We were told she wasn't responding to treatment last week and they were trying to make her as comfortable as possible for her remaining time. From what I hear, as of last Friday she was convinced she was coming back to work and couldn't understand why she needed hospice. That's Kim for you. She stayed strong and positive and she really fought until the end.
I loved Kim. I will always love Kim. She was passionate in helping others whether it be customer service, community service, or just helping a friend out. In my eyes, Kim could do no wrong. She drove us to success and kept us positive when things seemed like they were going wrong. If we were working late, so was she. When we had to stay until 10:00 one night before Christmas, she was right there coming around motivating us and putting smiles on our faces.
While our Genworth family loved Kim and will miss her, no one loved her like her real family did. Her husband, children, grandson, and parents loved Kim deeply and it was apparent when she would talk about them. It breaks my heart that her husband is without his best friend and her children without their mother. I saw her husband in the front row with his daughter's arm around him. Walter's love for Kim and Kim's love for Walter is something I wish everyone could experience for themselves. What a blessing to be loved someone deeply for so long.
I can only hope to be half the woman Kim was. She inspired all of us to be the best we can be. She was truly beautiful inside and out. I was only 1 in a crowd of around 300 people today, but she touched each of our lives. I know there are so many more people around the country who couldn't be there today who also were touched by her. I am honored to have known her and worked with her. She will live in our hearts forever and Genworth will never be the same without her. If you are reading this, keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Kim- we love you and will miss you. xoxo
