Kelly Anne Plummer Lester was born on January 30 th 1975. She grew up in the Briar Village Subdivision in West Houston. She attended St Agnes Catholic High School. She also attended Texas Tech University and the University of Houston. Kelly and I were married October 26, 2002.
One year ago tomorrow Kelly was diagnosed with a rare form of Liver cancer. In the last year she endured 16 rounds of chemotherapy, two unsuccessful surgeries to remove the cancer and numerous other procedures. On November 3, 2006 kelly and I went to MD Anderson for physical therapy later that evening Kelly told her family and I that she did not want to fight this battle anymore. The doctors seem to think Kelly gave in mentally to the disease only hours before her body did. She passed away 12 days later. That is how Kelly’s life ended.
But today is about something different; today is about how Kelly lived. Kelly had an enthusiasm for life that I have seen in no other. Her zeal for life cannot be summed up in words, but I will have to try. She was passionate about life, her family and friends. She lived with no regrets and believed that things should be done all or nothing. The same way she battled cancer. Her smile was radiant and her laugh contiguous. She was known for her wit and truthfulness. And all of us who knew Kelly know that sometimes to much wit and to much truthfulness, where not necessarily a good thing, but with my wife you always knew where you stood. One of the few people I know who could tell you where wrong and that she loved you in the same sentence and mean it. Kelly loved all or nothing. She loved her family and friends; she was always thinking of things that she could do for them to make their lives easier and how she could help them in any way.
Anybody who has ever been in a car with Kelly is probably surprised that cancer is what ended up taking her life. Often on the way to MD Anderson for an appointment or treatment I would joke with her “ I don’t know why we are worried cancer your going to kill us both.” As my best friends wife said, “ there is one thing you can tell about a women is that she lives her life like she drives” well then Kelly was all gas and no brakes. She told her girlfriends days before her passing that it “has been a good ride” and indeed it has.
As short as a time as Kelly and I had she made sure that our time together was well spent. She made sure that we lived. We traveled to Russia, Europe, Cape Cod, and many other destinations, we moved 3 times, we acquired 2 beautiful labs that Kelly adored, only one of which was purchased with my permission. I fill blessed to have experienced the years that I had with her. I thank god that he gave me that time.
I know so many of us will miss these wonderful things about Kelly, but as we grieve let us remember the way that Kelly lived. As cliché as it sounds Kelly would want us to go on with lives. Because that is what Kelly told me she wanted. And those of us who know her well, know what happens when you go against Kelly’s wishes. So let us not morn for Kelly today ,but celebrate her life. For Kelly is not in pain today she is with our lord and we all have a new angel in our lives. Death terminates life but it does not terminate the spirit in which a person lived. So today sometimes I want everyone who knew Kelly to close there eyes and think about the last time with her or your favorite time with her and there is no doubt in my mind that you remember the spirit of which Kelly lived. Take that moment and carry it with you always as a way to remember this beautiful woman forever and forever.
posted by Kelly & Joel Lester @ 9:29 AM
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