Kate's Bookshelf

After weeks of planning and preparation, we finally finished Kate's bookshelf this week! We gathered up all the books and decorations and took them to Kennedy's elementary school on Monday after school was out. In total, the bookshelf contains 114 books, many of which were donated by friends and family from all over the country. Each book has a note inside its cover that says it was donated in memory of Kate and also tells who donated it. We put some vinyl art on the wall behind the shelf, a framed photograph of Kate and a birdhouse on top of the bookshelf, a rug in front, and a couple of stools for the kids to sit on.

The collection of books in Kate's shelf is amazing. Every single book is one we would want our kids to read, and many are award-winning and best-selling children's books. Two of the books were written by the mother of one of our close friends back at home. The school librarian was so excited about all of the books, each of which we know will be enjoyed by the students for many years to come. Once the librarian finishes putting bar codes on the books and entering them into the school library system, each book will get a pink dot on its spine to indicate that it goes directly back to Kate's shelf whenever it is checked back in at the library. Students will be able to check the books out just like they would any other book in the library.

We are really grateful to all of you for your support of this project. We are so glad we have this small way of keeping Kate's name alive and letting her memory bless others. It is a little bitter-sweet to see the culmination of Kate's bookshelf, just because it has been so fun to get it ready and has kept us busy for so long. The same day that we presented Kate's bookshelf to the school, the monument company in town called to tell us that Kate's gravestone was finally finished. They will be placing it on Kate's grave site tomorrow. So this week marks the close of two chapters in Kate's story. We are grateful for each reminder that Kate is still aware of us and for the assurance that family is forever.

Kate's book shelf

Kate's photo and name plate

The school librarian with Holly

School librarian, Kennedy's kindergarten teacher, the school principal, Kennedy's 1st grade teacher, and Holly

Looking at the books with the principal

Family photo at Kate's bookshelf