LauckKayleIntegration3 Kelly Harrington Moreau FYS 4 March 2022 In Loving Memory Kayle was taken from us too soon. Yet, in her short life, she impacted many people around her. All felt her kindness, and her closest friends and family presence is already missed. Kayle was a very busy student and loved her time on campus at the University of Notre Dame. But, her passing signals us all to remember to take advantage of all of the moments we have left on this earth because we never know which will be our last. It is imperative for those who are busy, like Kayle was, to remember: “yet, it’s precisely those who are busiest, I wanted to tell her, who most need to give themselves a break” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week 1). Take breaks from your work and use those breaks to spend time with your family and friends. Anyone who knew Kayle knew how much she cared for public service. Fr. Hesburgh of her alma matter shared this care as well. He provided this message to a student running for office: “Serve our country. Put your country before party and before politics. Always do the right thing” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week 2). This advice was something Kayle took to heart as she tried to emulate doing the right things as she set goals for herself. Kayle strove to live her life trying to do the right thing. If she would have had more time, she would have tried to live out the rest of her life under that rule as well, especially if she would have been given the opportunity to pursue more public service roles. One of the most admirable aspects of Kayle’s life was her undeniable passion and drive for pursuing a more just future. Some enter college not yet knowing their passions but with skills equipped to find something they will excel in. Kayle would have been the first to admit she was not as academically prepared for Notre Dame as some students on campus, but she came with a drive and passion that made her stick out to her professors and peers. She knew the importance of discovering these passions for oneself: “... No one but you can say this is my joy. You must discover this for yourself!” (“Three Key Question” by Fr. Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week 3). Kayle truly found her joy in working for others and extending a helping hand wherever she could. While Kayle may have known her passions in life, she knew she needed more tools to achieve her goals. However, Kayle developed a new purpose in college: the importance of exploring the world. Because Kayle’s time was cut short, her memory is a testament to using our short time on earth to go out and gain more experiences. In fact, “the only way to know more about yourself is to test the waters - just get out and experience life!” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” from Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week 4). Kayle knew herself well in her short years on earth and tried to experience all she could, but we can learn from her passions the importance of trying new things while we still have the chance. Those closest to Kayle knew her passions and knew how deeply she cared for those around her. Kayle’s boyfriend said of her: “[Kayle was] most passionate and most alive when [she was] helping others and juggling a million things” (“Discernment Conversation Activity” with Isaac McCormick - Moreau FYE Week 5). We should all strive to have something in life that we come alive for in doing that work. Even better yet is finding that joy in work that helps others. Kayle was always a dreamer. She set her goals high and was willing to do whatever it took to reach those goals. In those efforts, she could often lose track of time. While she cared deeply for her work, she often missed out on the small moments she could have shared with friends. If she was here now, I think she would say among her only regrets would be worrying so much about the future that she forgot to live in the present. An applicable quote to this sentiment states: “I encourage all of us to just focus on what we can do for others or on what we can do already instead of what we cannot do or what we do not have yet” (“5 Minutes” by Aria Swarr, Grotto - Moreau FYE Week 6). Kayle always tried to do her best. In working to do this, she encouraged those around her to do their best as well. Her final years were spent living through a pandemic, massive social justice movements, and aggressive attacks against democracy. Her favorite thing to remember in the face of these challenges is to look to the past to do better in the future. Humans have made many mistakes in the past, and learning from them prevents much pain and suffering. In trying to find the best way forward for an equitable future for all, she tried to be mindful of always trying to do good for others. “In order to do good, we need memory; we need courage; and we need creativity” (“Why the only future worth building includes everyone” by His Holiness Pope Francis, TED Conferences - Moreau FYE Week 7). Kayle was courageous and creative, and if she would have had more time, she would have worked to create a better world for all. Kayle will be dearly missed by all who knew her. In her short life, she tried to live a life well-lived. She reflected on the experiences she had and inspired others around her. She got to know others by asking questions and being mindful of her own skills and limitations. She wanted to explore as much of the world as possible, and she discerned those paths that would give her those possibilities. Most importantly, she overcame many obstacles and formed meaningful relationships with those around her. Her life defines a life well-lived, despite its short length. We will remember her with the most loving memory.