On Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 we lost our dear friend, Judy Knapp. It's so easy for us to take life for granted, to spend too much time in front of the TV, to waste time, to let the days slip between our fingers. But Judy never did that. Judy was life. She, even on her worst days, had optimism that many of us don't have on our best. And she never settled for anything less than a life full of adventure, be it travel, books, or her willingness to try her hand at just about anything, Judy, of all the people I know, knew what it meant to be alive.
Her life force, her personality, and her drive inspired everyone around her. Her laugh infectious, her smile, contagious, Judy met everyone with child-like enthusiasm back with genuine interest. She always wanted to know about everything new and wonderful, but was there too when times were tough.
When I was small, Judy was my gum dispenser. She'd come over, and I'd race to her, pumping my little-kid legs as hard as I could, all the while chanting, “JudyJudyJudy!” When I got there, invariably my next plea was, “Do you have any gum?” Silly story, but when you're a little kid, gum is king. And growing up Judy continued to be a huge influence on me. She turned me on to reading and Edgar Allen Poe. She supported my writing, gave Sue and I countless vacation tips (and plenty of travel envy), and was a great friend and surrogate Aunt.
Judy's life spark was huge and bright. And never was it diminished by sickness. If anything, diabetes made her spark all the brighter, which is perhaps why her passing on Wednesday was so shocking to all of us. That bright ball of light and love, curiosity, intelligence, and laughter snapped away so sudden-quick. But it isn't gone. We have it now, all of us that have been touched by her wonderful soul. It's up to us to carry her spark now; it's up to us to remember all that is Judy and to never forget. We love you, Judy. And will miss you greatly.
“May your trails be dim, lonesome, stony, narrow, winding and only slightly uphill. May the wind bring rain for the slickrock potholes fourteen miles on the other side of yonder blue ridge. May God's dog serenade your campfire, may the rattlesnake and the screech owl amuse your reverie, may the Great Sun dazzle your eyes by day and the Great Bear watch over you by night.” --Edward Abbey
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