Kathi B. Young , the "cookie lady", momma bear

How many words..

obituary

how many words

does it take to sum up a person?

even the word person seems too small

and it’s this exact appreciation

of life, of existence itself,

is what my mother gave to me.

the impermanence and thus the tender-sweet

delicacy,

the inevitable fading away and yet the undeniable significance,

the appreciation of

the knowing

Through your broken places

through your broken body

I have become

Love is brought forth by love alone

imperfect and bloody

the moments that break us

that give no grace for shame or pride

The crying forth for something bigger

through this

you brought me

and with this

you left me,

left me

with

all you have

taught me

Thank you

- Meg aka HuggyBear

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Huggy Bear was my mothers baby nick name for me. She called herself mamabear. I was also referred to as butter ball when I was a baby , because I was so fat I didn't have a neck til I was almost 2. So many memories flood in...

Thank you for being here with us during this time. Thank you for reading this, for caring and loving me and my family. I have never felt more afloat in helplessness and yet held so lovingly in the thoughts and hearts of so many of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My sister and I are terrible at asking for help. We are real , buckle down and muscle through it and don't let anyone see you cry types...

But, humans are hard wired for community , and this is such a lesson in learning how to be ok not being ok.

Kathi B. Young was not a perfect person, but none of us are. Kathi was such a gift to so many, touched so many lives and shared her love of health care until the end. Chatting away with her nurses and doctors about her wealth of knowledge and "punny" jokes. ;) She also battled with alcohol and substance abuse, depression, bone and autoimmune issues, losing all of her teeth, and almost having a leg amputated due to infection. In the last few years hundreds of hospital visits, ER trips, ambulance rides to SLC, surgeries including metal plates and screws implanted in her neck to save her life. These challenges have dwindled away the savings she had.

Her home is currently filled to the hilt due to years of a relationship with hoarding. Our family is looking at months if not over a year of sorting, removing mold and possible rodents, controlling the damage to the property and and rebuilding a comfortable and safe space for her surviving husband Doug to live in. We are looking into meals on wheel or a similar plan to help Doug during his own recovery with recent hospitalization.

So many people are struggling right now. I , myself, am working so hard every day to get back to a place where I feel I am 'contributing' again and not just asking for help. But if there's one lesson my mother taught me, it's that simply being here was enough for her. I don't know another person in the universe that has cherished my hugs and kisses so much. Who truly delighted in the things I pursued and never once doubted my ability to accomplish anything I put my mind to.

It's been a rocky road and I am so grateful that I feel her so strongly in my heart; Encouraging me to follow my dreams and loving my crazy endeavors because she too saw the purpose, the importance, the healing and meaning in ritual and play. I will forever hear her voice singing Puff the Magic Dragon, and playing her acoustic guitar. <3

If you are in a place of need yourself, we hear you, we love and appreciate you. If you are in a place you can lend help, please do. We love and appreciate what comes.

Thank you so much for

letting me share my heartbreak,

for letting me fall into this mystery of sorrow and remembering.

Thank you for the outpouring of love and support already, Thank you for gifting your attention and care, for

letting me feel a sense of safety in the world when everything has turned upside down and it doesn't seem to ease up.

You are my air, my water, my life and my inspiration.

Forever grateful,

Leggy Meggy, and on behalf of Doug Young and Emma Hinds.