I remember in 10th grade the two of us would talk on the phone for hours reading our diaries to each other. Of course they were of Mike Keltz and Mike Lambert..our true love of high school; They didnt even know we existed.
Karen and I became Mat Maids so that we could watch Mike Keltz and Mike Lambert wrestling. We called ourselves the reject cheerleaders. I remember sneaking out and smoking a cigarette behind Ritter when we should have been cheering. Jeanne Hartman became the captain of the squad and Karen and I dropped out and gained up on Jeanne because we felt she was too bossy.
I remember we usually went to mass on Sunday nights at 6pm with my mom. We were constantly getting the evil eye from my mom because we would laugh thru the whole mass.
We both loved to eat at Taco Bell. For some reason, we would make a raspy voice and pretend we were talking like an alien. I was 9 months pregnant. We would get stares like, really...she needs a baby
Karen was there for me from day one of having my daughter Brittany. She would pick her up from school, take her to the library and help with her homework. Brittany basically had two mothers.
We took 2 large boxes and material, we made ourselves to be present. Karen was yellow and I was purple. They were so big, we barely could fit in the car.
Karen took me to Daytona Beach where her parents had a condo. I The lottery had just came to Indiana. We were both convinced that we would win some money with the lottery in order to be able to go. About a week before we were to go, I can remember Karen looking and me and saying, "Julie, I dont think we are going to win." So, we were able to come up with $150.00 between the 2 of us. Also, Karen's parents gave her their credit card so we would have gas money for the trip.
On the drive to Florida, I remember both of us singing into our curling irons and the music full blast
When we were in Daytona, we got into a huge fight over why pteridactyl was spelled with a P.
While in Florida, Karen's dad took all of us out for an outing. We went to NASA. It was the most BORING place. We rode on a bus to see all the sights around NASA. I could not stay awake at all. Karen kept worrying that her dad would notice and get angry. She kept nudging me and whispering, "Wake up". She finally put my forehead on the window pane with sunglasses to make it look like I was watching the tour. I slept the whole time.
Karen joined the army. She absolutely hated it. She would write me long notes on how much she wanted to come home. She ended up with the name, "Private Benjamin".
One summer Karen and I decided to go canoeing. We definitely could not canoe. We did circles in the middle of the river and went nowhere. Somehow we finally ended up stuck under a tree stump. Needless to say, Gave this activity up very quickly.
I remember walking around the track. We were pulling a red wagon with beer in it. A biker came upon us rather quickly, Karen mouthed off to him, "Hey watch where you are going". She then noticed the BIG BIG girlfriend on the back of the bike. Karen fell to her knees and looked at them and said, "Please dont kill me.The biker nodded his head and drove off.
When we would go out, (which was several times a week) we would argue over who was going to drive. Karen had the family van that was antique and I had a puke green Cordoba. We usually drove my car. We would wait in the parking lot before getting in or out of the car to make sure noone was around.
Karen liked to play pool and I liked to dance. I remember there was two guys that she dated. She decided she didnt like one and we named him Milton the monster. The other guy was prejudice and we named him Lloyd the bigot.
Karen always forgot to put gas in the tank and it was not uncommon to run out of gas.
When Karen met Chris, he was very meticulous and organized. His apartment was always perfect. Karen loves cats. Chris told her she would never be allowed to have cats. Hmm...how many cats do you have Chris? Last time, I went to her house I got a kick out of how messy it was. It was not dirty by all means but it was messy. I started teasing her how she broke Chris.
A few years ago, Karen came to my home in Plainfield and we went for a walk. We had to make frequent stops because I have gained so much weight that I was short of breath. I only made it a couple blocks. Karen was worried that I was going to die so she paid 20.00 dollars a month for me to work out with her. At this time, Karen's knees started to hurt. Shortly there after, Karen was diagnosed with Lupus.
When I graduated from Medtech, I had a hard time finding a job. I really did not have a decent interview outfit. Karen showed up on my door and took me shopping. She bought me the clothes I needed to look nice on my interviews.
I have always believed that God places people in our lives. Karen has touched so many lives. I know she is in heaven with her sister and father. Gods love always shined thru Karen. She showed me and many others the true meaning of love. The beauty of Karen was it was second nature to her. She gave unconditional love. It was never to make her feel better about herself or to expect anything in return for the kindness she gave to you.
Karen always joked how we would sit in our rocking chairs together when we were old. Unfortunately, God has decided he wants her now. I will always love you Karen. You are now with your father and sister in heaven. No more aches and pain.
