The transition from summer to fall brings cooler weather, comforting traditions, and the anticipation of the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day offer opportunities to gather, celebrate, and reflect on the love that fills our lives. While the season can be busy and full of activity, it also invites us to pause, appreciate our connections, and honor the memories that shape who we are.
As the holidays approach, we reflect on the delicate balance between giving and receiving, joy and remembrance, laughter and grief. These seasonal celebrations, while comforting, can also bring to light the absence of loved ones and the bittersweet emotions that come with remembrance.
At the Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland Foundation, we embrace this balance year-round. February, the month of love, holds special meaning for us as we prepare for the 4th Annual Love of Life Festival this coming February, 15th. This vibrant event is a tribute to life, art, music, and community—a chance to celebrate the beauty of love in all its forms.
Together, we celebrate what we know to be eternal: Love.
This season, may we hold space for reflection, embrace the warmth of togetherness, and continue to honor those who have touched our lives in unforgettable ways.
Celebrate Life Through Art and Music
The Love of Life Festival is more than an event; it’s a meaningful space to celebrate life, legacy, and the connections that endure. This outdoor music and arts festival provides a platform for talented artists and musicians to share their gifts while offering families and friends a way to honor loved ones in uplifting and creative ways. Together, we celebrate their lives, cherish their memories, and keep their spirits alive.
Festival Highlights:
New date and venue - The festival will be held February 15th at Mossy Oaks at The Villages Polo Fields
Local talented artists and musical acts, creating an unforgettable experience for all ages
Delicious fare from food trucks and refreshing beverages
Beautiful works of art to admire and interactive activities for engagement
Outdoor games, bounce houses, and face painting for family-friendly fun
Silent auctions and raffles, adding excitement while supporting our mission
Bring your own seating, relax under the majestic mossy oaks, and join us for a day of connection, reflection, and celebration in a way that honors Kayleigh’s spirit.
Stay updated - https://www.kltfoundation.com/lolfestival
Become a Sponsor: Your Donations Make This Possible
The success of the Love of Life Festival is made possible through the generosity of sponsors who share our vision of celebrating life through music and art while uplifting our community.
Why Sponsor?
Your support directly funds the programs offered by the Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland Foundation, including the Love of Life Festival.
You help provide a platform for talented artists and musicians to showcase their gifts and offer families a meaningful way to honor their loved ones.
Your organization benefits from customizable promotional opportunities tailored to align with your goals.
Over the past three years, the festival has grown significantly, attracting attendees from across Central Florida and beyond. This event is more than a celebration—it’s a movement that combines artistry, community, and joy.
Explore sponsorship opportunities here: https://www.kltfoundation.com/sponsorship
A Day to Remember, Reflect, and Shine
November 17th is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims - Learn More Here: https://worlddayofremembrance.org/#top ,
This global day honors the countless lives lost and forever changed by road crashes. It is a moment to reflect on the impact these tragedies have on families, communities, and our collective humanity. It is also a call to action—a reminder of the urgent need to advocate for safety and support for those left navigating the aftermath.
On this day, we honor lives lost too soon, including Kayleigh’s. She is my seastar, my beacon of light and love, whose laughter was like fairy dust, filling the air with magic. As a sleeping passenger, her life was taken in a sudden car accident—a tragedy shared by so many families across Florida and beyond.
In Florida, 111 teen drivers and 68 teen passengers lost their lives in 2023. Across the United States, the reality is equally heartbreaking: 2,883 teens aged 13 to 19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2022, making these accidents the leading cause of death for teens.
Each number tells a story of dreams cut short and families bearing the weight of grief. These losses remind us of life’s fragility and our shared responsibility to make the roads safer for all.
Let’s continue to shine light on the dangers of distracted driving and the need for awareness by sharing Kayleigh’s story and supporting efforts to save lives.
Grief is Love in Its Loudest Form
Grief often feels like a storm—a whirlwind of emotions and memories. It is love in its loudest form, calling us to reflect deeply, listen to the lessons of those we’ve lost, and move forward with purpose.
In honor of this duality, we invite you to reflect on how grief can shape your journey. A favorite from our KLT Foundation Book Reference Page is Loss: Poems to Better Weather the Many Waves of Grief by Donna Ashworth:
“For those cast adrift in the lonely sea of grief, this collection offers solace for when the water gets rough... Intended to rejuvenate weary souls; these poems are a must for anyone who has lost someone.”
Thoughts are so powerful, spoken words are magical, and written words even more so. Writing has the unique ability to transcend time, to immortalize thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It provides a way to articulate what often feels too large or complex to say aloud. Finding the right words to convey and express emotions, visions, and even scenery is not just about communication—it’s about connection. It’s about understanding ourselves and others, about bridging the spaces between us with meaning and resonance.
I recently finished listening to The Man Who Made Lists by Joshua Kendall, which beautifully chronicles the life of Peter Mark Roget, the creator of the thesaurus. Roget (1779–1869), a British physician, natural theologian, and lexicographer, crafted one of the most enduring tools in the history of language—the thesaurus. But the story behind its creation is as profound as the work itself.
Roget was motivated to compile his meticulous list of words not simply out of scholarly ambition, but as a way to cope with personal loss and family trauma. His father died when he was young, and he endured a life shaped by the mental health struggles of his sister, grandmother, and daughter, who grappled with depression and schizophrenia. He even bore witness to his uncle’s tragic suicide, an event that haunted him deeply. In many ways, Roget’s thesaurus—derived from the Greek word for "treasure house"—was his sanctuary. It was a means of channeling his grief, his thoughts, and his search for order into something lasting and purposeful.
It’s remarkable to think that such a staple of libraries and classrooms was born from one man’s journey through mental health struggles, life, love, and loss. The thesaurus is more than a list of synonyms—it is a treasure chest of possibilities, a reminder that language has the power to shape and reshape our world.
For Roget, and for many of us, finding the right words becomes a way to make sense of life’s complexities. Words can serve as anchors, as guides, and even as companions in our moments of solitude. They allow us to transform pain into poetry, loss into love, and chaos into clarity.
This reflection reminds me that whether we are speaking, writing, or simply thinking, the way we use words matters. They are tools for healing, for storytelling, and for carrying forward the legacies of those we love. In the act of writing, we keep their memory alive, creating something beautiful and enduring from the intricate tapestry of our experiences.
This is why words, like love, are eternal. They connect us across time, through joy and grief, reminding us that our stories are worth sharing and our voices worth hearing.
A Time for Love, Awareness, and Togetherness
This year, we’re creating a Remembrance Wall for the Love of Life Festival, where we will honor the lives of loved ones who have passed.
We encourage you to share photos of someone you’d like us to remember. By including their story, their smile, and their memory on the wall, you help us continue to shine light on the love that transcends loss. Send your photos and stories to contact@kltfoundation.com
Get Involved
Through moments of remembrance and joyful celebration at the Love of Life Festival, your presence makes a difference. Every story shared, every act of kindness, and every step toward awareness strengthens our community.
We need Sponsors, Vendors, and Volunteers to make this celebration as magical as Kayleigh’s spirit.
Sponshorship Information:
Vendor Registration:
Get your Tickets TODAY!
With love, light, and aligned action,
Elizabeth
The Kathryn Leigh Thurgaland Foundation
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