Kindell

Kindell Hankerd. Kindell Marie Hankerd. She was my friend. She was my sister in arms. She was a warrior of the highest order. Kindell died on March 20th at the age of 44. She died in the arms of the man she loved. I know that if she had a choice, that is where she would have chosen to be. The last thing she saw was her love’s eyes. That also would have been her choice. Even as I type this, I can feel her anger at leaving so soon. Her first thought would be for those she left behind. Her husband and her beautiful children.
We met on a Spring day in 1985. I was a scared new young bride and she was a scared soon to be bride. We ‘got’ each other at first glance. It was like two orphans clinging together in high seas. It also helped that both our men where in the military. That in and of itself can create a sisterhood. We never were lucky enough to live close together, so ours was always a relationship of phone calls and the odd visit. We always had at least a continent between us. I loved her. NOT as in kiss kiss, I love you (insert air kiss), but as I LOVED her. She was brash, she was loud and she was brave. Her generosity knew no bounds. Everything she did, she did with ALL of her. And she was ALWAYS Kindell. I knew that if I ever needed anything, she was just a call away. I hope she knew the same. She was there for my son whenever he called her. She would listen, and let him rage. Then she would love him. Just the way he was. He will forever miss his Aunt Kindell. She is irreplaceable.
I feel sorry for anyone who never met her, although judging by the turnout at her funeral, there were very few who had not. If success is measured by those who you loved and those who loved you, Kindell was the most successful person I have ever known. I will miss her until the day I die. Then she’ll saunter up to me and drawl, ‘what took ya so long ya biiittchhh, wanna drink?!’ I can’t wait. We’ll have SO much to talk about....