Posted in Family

My dear friend, Karen, passed away yesterday.

She was an amazing woman.  When I think of Karen, I think of the song that is currently playing here on my blog.  It describes her perfectly.  She has struggled through so much in her time here on earth, yet she remained faithful to our Savior through it all.

She beat breast cancer, not once, but 3 times.  She struggled to conceive for many years and was rewarded for her faithfulness with a beautiful little boy, Robby. Between her bouts with cancer, she conceived another child, Hannah, who died in her arms after 20 minutes on earth.  She found out she had cancer for the fourth time, and it was everywhere this time, and dealt with it as gracefully as she dealt with everything.  With concern for everyone else.  And through all this, she remained steadfast in her love for our Heavenly Father. 

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name


Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
But my heart will choose to say
You give and take away
You give and take away
But my heart will choose to say

Blessed it be your of the Lord
Blessed it be your name
Blessed it be your name of the Lord
Blessed it be your glorious name

Blessed it be your name of the Lord
Blessed it be your name
Blessed it be your name of the Lord
Blessed it be your glorious name

Robert, her husband, asked everyone to think of their favorite times with Karen.  Here's one of my favorites...

Karen was the first friend that I made in Virginia Beach.  We met working at a kindercare while waiting to get  real teaching jobs.  (BTW, neither of us would ever recommend sending your child to a kindercare.  The list of reasons is long, extensive and frightening.)

Soon came my first hurricane season.  We had a big one coming in.  Kevin and Robert, of course, were called to duty and we were alone.  So we decided to ride through it together.  Do you know what the first thing she wanted to do was?  Go down to the boardwalk and check out the waves. LOL  So we did.  I remember standing there with her watching the waves and laughing at the idiot surfers who were actually out in the water trying to surf.  We did love to people watch together.

I'd like to thank the Father for giving me the priviledge of knowing her.  For indulging His children here and extending her life on earth, not once, but three times.  For the wonderful example that she is.

She was such a wonderful friend.  I'll probably never meet another person with a heart quite like hers.  I miss you so much Karen and I can't wait to see you again in paradise!