You'll always be in Spin Class!

Hey Laura,

I think you would've liked today.

Lisa, Emily and I went to lunch with Judy and then we went to get pedicures.

Then, as I have been doing for the past few days, I took a nap. Grief can just wear a person out...even if they're not doing anything...

Tonight we all went to Spinning class at the Y, where you probably would have been embarrassed by the attention you got. Your classmates and the CEO of Albany area Y's dedicated one of the spin bikes to you... You got your own nameplate on the bike.

Somebody took pictures. Emily, Lisa and I got to help unveil the nameplate.  A few tears were shed...hugs were passed around... and then we rode bikes while Anita fussed at us to "hydrate!", "crank up that resistance", "stand and climb"... Tim pedaled backwards and did NOT hold onto the handlebars when Anita told him to...

And then afterwards, we all drove to Dawson to eat at San Joes (no, people, it's not misspelled)... and enjoy hangin' with each other.

Sometimes grief is exhausting. Sometimes you don't wanna be with people so much... But sometimes you hang with 'em and realize that you really are thankful for those people... 

You have some good, good friends who are missin' you just like we are... And they are tryin' to figure out how to live without you just like we are. 

We love you.

Hey Laura,

Today the "children" found some old pictures and we had fun remembering the "olden days."

We're okay, but life doesn't feel quite right... We are lovin' each other the best way we can and your good friends are lovin' us a lot too.

Tonight Clif, Emily, Lisa, Trisha and I went to hang out with some of those very good friends... We ate good food... had good conversation...laughed a little... and got soakin' wet from the heavy downpour on the way there...

We talked about you. Just can't believe that you're not here...

I'm so thankful that you were my sister and that Clif, Emily and Lisa were blessed with you for a mother.

What an amazing gift you have been for us.

Southern Love

Picture this:

As soon as word got out about Laura, all those who have loved her so well in Leesburg FLEW into action.

Somebody got the key to the house. Sheets were changed. The house was cleaned. Food was prepared.  A refrigerator was rented to store the extra food (!). The grass was cut. The yard was "tidied". Vases of beautifully arranged homegrown flowers were placed in every single room in the house.

Then all those same people anxiously awaited the arrival of the rest of us so lots of hugs could be exchanged.

That is a picture of southern love.... one of many... 

And it continues.

Laura Elizabeth Hall died on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Emory University Hospital at the age of 59. A native of Atlanta, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Edna Hall.

She is survived by her three children, Clifton Andrew Kitchens, Emily Kathyrn Kitchens and Lisa Marie Kitchens, and her three siblings, Robert Hall, Jr., Mary Celeste Llaurador and Carrie Hall Chute as well as their spouses (Keren Ludwig, Kermit Llaurador and Harvey Chute, respectively) and children.

Laura was born on February 5, 1956 in Atlanta, GA. She was a member of North Avenue Presbyterian Church, attended North Fulton High School and went on to graduate from Georgia College.  

She lived in Leesburg for the past 18 years, teaching at Lee County High School, attending Leesburg United Methodist Church and being active in the community. Laura loved the people of Leesburg fiercely, and throughout her fight with cancer, her friends and community were her greatest support.

A memorial service will be held at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, April 21 at Leesburg United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to The American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.  

She won.

One of the best people I have ever known in my life died this morning. I can't quite grasp it. It still doesn't seem real. 

I am so thankful that I saw her just last week...

I am thankful for her good friends and my good siblings and her children who have loved her fiercely and many of whom were by her side when she left. I am thankful that I was able to tell her I love her before she let go.

Many of you have been a great support to our family and we are more thankful than we can say.

I'm on my way to Atlanta now. All of her children are together and my siblings are together, too... It will be good to get there to hug them for real.

We are deeply sad, but thankful that she no longer has to fight. She has won.

I am picturing her right now on heaven's front porch with Mama and Papa. It's a peaceful thought. 

Please pray and please post

I don't have a lot of information... but Laura has been having difficulty breathing. So much so that she ended up going to her local hospital in an ambulance yesterday 'cause she couldn't walk to the car. 

She's got fluid on her lungs and the hospital in Albany is going to send her by ambulance to Emory in Atlanta.

Mary is there. Robert is on his way...or most likely already in ATL. I'm waiting to find out more from docs before I go... 

Her son is getting married in 3 weeks and we want her to be well enough to be there. SO! Please pray for that.

And, while you're praying, if you have an Instagram account, start posting some GOFIGHTWIN! photos with the hashtag #gfw!  And, pass it on!

Let's find pics that show her how much we love her. 

Let's all work together to help her kick some stupid cancer complication butt!

Love y'all!