In the end we all become stories. What story would my mother want me to tell? Knowing her, she would say “don’t fuss with an obituary, I’ll be gone anyway”. But she was a writer, a journalist, and it seems important in the wake of her passing to just write. My beautiful mother, Kathy Low, of Woodstock, GA, completed her earthly journey on Wednesday, October 14th, 2020. She was born October 8th, 1953 in Hackensack, NJ to Charles and Thelma Low.
Looking back on what I know of my mother’s 67 years, her life was truly an adventure with both beautiful and heartbreaking stops along the way. She would often tell me her life began when she had me on December 31st, 1985. As the fireworks exploded in the sky outside her hospital room, she said somehow all was quiet, it was just her and me. That story would ring true for the rest of our time together. It was always the two of us. Having a single parent so devoted to only me was a gift I can’t quite put into words. Although it came with struggles, the bond the two of us have is directly related to there never being anyone else we had to share our time with. Everything I am, and the incredible family I now have, is because of my mother.
A lover of all things outdoors, my mom has instructed us to “listen and look for me in the trees, and mountains, and flowers, and hiking trails that I love so much. I am with you - always. Never doubt it.” Her greatest treasures were the words of loved ones – in letters, cards and emails – and she passed those words on leaving detailed letters to each of her grandchildren, Jordan and me. Each letter spoke of her love and adoration for each of us and emphasized that life is meant to be lived, so live it fully and without reservation.
A self-proclaimed “Jersey girl”, inventor of Lenny the Leprechaun, The Valentine’s Day fairy and “footsles”. Sun butter cookie maker, eternal teacher, and Cayden’s puzzle mate. Lover of Trader Joe’s, a good book on her Kindle, a smokin’ deal on kids clothes at Kohl’s or Target, and creating a tricky scavenger hunt for the twins. The list of what she has meant to our family goes on and on. How can I sum up my mother in mere words? Nothing seems sufficient for the most incredible person I’ve ever met.
Her greatest achievements include but of course are not limited to beating her father, “Mighty Low”, in tennis and ping-pong, getting me through college on an educator’s salary, hiking the Grand Canyon, taking down some Jersey mob guys in a newspaper story she covered in the 1980s, watching her grand twins grow over the past 6 ½ years and loving her most recent grandson, our Kinlin. Down Syndrome was never something we anticipated but the bond her and Kinlin have is indescribable. She would often say “when I look into his eyes I see Heaven so I know it’s going to be ok”. We would talk about Kinlin coming down and changing our lives in ways we could have never dreamed. He truly kept her going when the cancer pain set in. I could write forever about my mommy, and I probably will in private, but I’ll leave it by telling her (because I know she’s reading every word I’m writing, editing over my shoulder) you are my best friend, the most amazing provider, and the relationship I pray to have with my daughter. Thank you for the little things over the past 34 years, especially in the last 6 ½ with your grand babies. You will be missed every single day, but my children will know you, no matter how much time passes. I’ll enjoy my time here while simultaneously counting down the days until we meet again in Heaven. I love you, my mama today, tomorrow and forever- Your Pumpkin Girl
Kathy was the daughter of Charles Low of Pawley’s Island, SC who preceded her in death. She is survived by her mother Thelma Low, daughter Danielle Higley, son-in-law Jordan and grandsons Cayden and Kinlin, and granddaughter Emory. And her brothers Daniel Low and Chuck Low.
In lieu of flowers, please support The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network out of Stillwater, MN in honor of her grandson, Kinlin Coast.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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