I'm Charlie, Charlie Smith. I knew Cathy from birth. She was about 2 years younger then me. Never really paid much attention to her during her first few years of life. I did pay attention to her Mom and Dad and why? Because my parents did. Her mother, Barbara, she was the predessor of Cathy. Always bubbling with joy. My parents and her parents had many, many great times over coffee and crumbly cakes. It just never got old. I can remember going to Cathy's house as a young kid, by then, maybe 10 or so - I was always amazed at the glaring shine of the hardwood floor. It was like glass. You walk in the front door, shining floors! I can even remember (going back at least 55 years), Cathy's dad had a rocking chair and it was set perfectly by the vent!
I was at her home many times but I was never worried about messing up their tidy home. Never once, not even once. My Mom, Doris Smith, she and Cathy's Mom Barbara - they quickly became friends. They both struggled with weight issues and they both struggled to lose weight. Sometimes, it seemed that they had won the battle. They never did win that battle but oh my, they won many more important battles!
Let me digress. In 1973, I was 13 and I was elected President of the Youth Group. John Pisarcik (sp?) was the Youth Pastor. I took my job seriously and I 'hired' the best talent possible: Cathy Walls and Terry Millman. Both had different talents. Cathy? Nothing but excitement to each and every endeavor! Terry? A bit more reserved, maybe you might say taking an over-site role. But Terry managed to cobble all of the ideas of me and Cathy into 'something.'
I have not spoken to Cathy Walls for decades. I know I met with Terry Williams in the 1980's, at her parents home. I was just so 'not' connected at that time but I should have been. That was a failure of mine.
Linda Millman? She was also important in this story. She did things and had talents that none of us three did. I can mention many others that were close to the heart of Cathy. Trust me - many, many and in fact all that met and knew Cathy - she made their life better just for simply knowing her.
I suppose - because Cathy and Terry were so important to me in my youth, I take the loss hard. I take it a bit harder because Cathy truly lived her faith and kindness every single day. I wish I could say the same.
Cathy would want that of me and all of us.
Rest in God's Arms Cathy. You were special. Very special. I'll see you soon! Charlie Smith