Kelly Brookshire

Kelly was born on Nov. 23, 1984 in Joplin, MO. Even as a child she had a sweet, kind and fun loving spirit. When she was a little girl she was given the nickname “Smiley” and lived up to that name every day of her life. All through the years of growing up she always had animals, whether it was a dog, cat, rabbit, duck, or lizard she loved them all. She would beg to take every stray animal off the street (most of which would end up in her yard one way or another.) There was even a pigeon she fed that stayed around for four years. She always said when she grew up she wanted to open a animal rescue shelter and save every animal that needed a home.

Through her adolescent and teenage years she was always surrounded by close friends that found comfort in her caring nature. Her smile could lighten even the darkest room. She made the best of any situation, even through the saddest years of her life. While attending JHS she was a cheerleader for three years, played the violin in orchestra, a member of FBLA, and worked as a paralegal at Glades Law Firm. Through FBLA she learned about Camp Quality and volunteered to help the summer after her senior year. She was so touched by all the sweet, beautiful children that had such an upbeat spirit, and through all the pain in their lives were able to laugh, play, and have fun. Little did she know when the time came to volunteer the following year she would be unable to, due to the beginning of her fight with cancer.

Kelly’s love for life, animals, children and friends ran deep but the love of her family was unmatched. Through the final years of her life her dad was ill and she always took time to help out with his care (even if she was on a date). She always wanted to help and be there for anyone who needed it. She always kept her spirits high, and when someone was sad she knew what to say to cheer them up. Doing so with her beautiful smile, sweet laugh, cute dimples, and silly tilted head (when confused). Whether it be dancing, moon walking down the hall singing Mr. Ed, being with friends, cuddling with babs (her pug), talking on the phone or singing at the top of her lungs to Britney Spears the girl always had fun. Her favorite quote was “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. She had many moments that took her breath away. One of which was being baptized just months before she found out she had cancer, by a very dear friend of the family.

During the scariest time of her life she went to Mayo Clinic to find out why she was feeling so bad, all she wanted was to laugh and keep her spirits up. To do that she called on her high school sweetheart Chip to make the trip with her and her mom. While at Mayo on her 20th birthday she got the news it was in fact cancer. In that final month of her life she found comfort in being with her friends, spending the night with her sister, having quality time with her brother, talking to her mom and dad, and having bible verses read to her (even at 3 o’ clock in the morning.) For her it was always the simple things in life that completed her the most. On Dec. 19, 2004 she was called to heaven to be with God and his angels. And for those of us who knew Kelly our lives have forever been touched because she blessed our lives.

We would like to share a poem with you that Kelly wrote for her dad when he became ill.

Missing You

I have dreams every night
of how things used to be.
I miss you so much,
Please come back to me!

I just wish I could hear your voice,
It has been such a long time.
I hide my true feelings inside,
And people think that I am fine.

I am very alone,
And I don’t want to be.
I miss you so much,
Please come back to me!