My cousin, Sandy Kineman, passed away this afternoon at the too early age of 60 after her bout with cancer.
Sandy and my Mom shared a very special bond. Sandy, being my mom's sister's daughter, was always very close with our family. When we all lived in Paducah, of course, we spent many hours with Sandy and her best friend, Denise, as she patiently entertained her annoying younger cousins, my brother and I. We shared a love for the Kentucky Wildcats, though, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Her favorite player--and mine--was Lou Brock growing up. We each had our "Icee cups" with Lou Brock being our favorite, washed so much that Lou turned white.
When we moved away from Kentucky, Sandy and my mom (her "Aunt Janie") wrote to each other. Once a week or so they would write a letter. Mom had her favorite Sheaffer fountain pen with the disposable cartridges, in washable blue, and would sit down at the kitchen table and write Sandy letters. Sandy would write back, and this continued for years.
When Sandy grew up and married, they came to visit us when they had summer vacations. We had great times doing virtually nothing. Watched baseball, went to the abysmal Monroe, La. zoo, and just hung out and laughed at the house. When my aunt, Sandy's Mom died, she became even closer to "Aunt Janie," and my mom had plenty of love to give to all of us.
As my other cousin's daughter said, Sandy is with her mom, grandmom, and her beloved Aunt Janie now. It will be all too soon before we all join each other. My love to them all, Sandy.
God bless the family, Mike, her husband, and her sons, Kyle and Chad. And her Dad, "Uncle Jr.," has to bury his daughter. Doesn't matter the age, that's a terrible thing.
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