41. Kellie Cunningham

I don’t remember the first time we met. It feels like I have always known Kellie Cunningham. I have a kindergarten picture I drew called “my friends” and there is Kellie.

I always liked her name. It was best if you said the whole thing: “Kellie Cunningham.”

The best thing about Kellie Cunningham was she had such a calm energy. Even as a little kid, she was self-possessed and so easy to be around. She was one of those people I just wanted to spend time with. So honest and earnest and fun.

So about 5 years ago, through the magic of Facebook, I was reunited with Kellie Cunningham! She was a friend of a friend, and then suddenly there we were, Facebook Friends.

We were reunited around the time my dad died, and that was a tough time for me. I know Kellie was going through some of her own tough things, but there she was for me. My friend, whom I hadn’t seen since I moved away at age 13. Asking how she could help. Caring about me.

And that is the magic of Kellie. Her presence is healing, and she has such a generous heart. So here’s to the little girl who was my friend, and the grown woman who is becoming her true self.