Karen’s mom Agnes asked me about an image of Karen yesterday and I thought I might share a little about it on the blog. Some of you knew Karen from a distance, and some more closely, but we all knew her smile. Or at least the lucky ones did. Here’s the picture of one of her smiles that Agnes asked about, and a little info about it.
This is a picture of Karen at the Cleveland Clinic. I spent an hour trying to find the original, but I couldn’t. I’m not sure if we took the pic on her phone, or on mine.
As a little background, the trips up to the Cleveland Clinic were not pleasant for Karen. We often had to get up very early in the morning (4-6 AM) so we could get her ready and on the road. In the above picture Karen is in pain, she’s fatigued to the point that she can barely walk, and so sick she can barely keep her breakfast down. But she can still smile in a way that warms your very soul.
She loved the people at the Cleveland Clinic. The nurses were kind and caring, and always made us feel like we were the most important people in the world. Karen always put on a smile for them and made them feel good too. The above smile was for the them.
Her smile made people want to be around her. It was not uncommon for the nurses to sit with Karen during her chemo infusions to chat about things, and generally to get away from their own troubles. I remember at least one nurse that realized it, and thanked Karen for being there for her. She mused that Karen helped her feel better, even though it should have been the other way around. The nurses looked forward to the days Karen was in their office.
She always put on her best face for others, and tried to make the people around her happy. She felt that she needed to be there for them, even when she was really the one in need.
Karen was the happiest when those around her were happy. One of my favorite photos of her is when we were at the Sterling Bluegrass Jamboree. Her best friend Theresa was up on stage playing with the band for the first time, and it made Karen extremely happy. She was so excited to finally hear Theresa play live in front of a crowd that she couldn’t contain herself.
The joy in her smile above brings tears to my eyes. She’s sitting there in pain, feeling sick, tired, and afraid. Yet she is still able to feel such a great joy for others. I think this is the picture of her that I love the best. She is so beautiful, and expressing such a love for others, even while she is in so much pain herself. I’m really not able to express my thoughts any better than that, I apologize. I’m at a loss for the right words.
I miss her smiles, and know others feel the same way. They live on in my memory, and hopefully yours.
Of course, Charlie, that’s her inner beauty coming through. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. Such a beautiful woman all the way around. Love her smile.
Oh Charlie your words were perfect. Karen has the best smile! I always loved when you would see her she would close her eyes tight then do a big smile, almost like she was prepping for greatness. Thank you for sharing the pictures and the words.
She certainly had an infectious smile! She loved and was loved by many. Beautiful thoughts and memories here! Hugs to you!