Karen

There are people in this world who are remembered because of their flamboyant exploits. They explode into your life and quite often zoom out of it just as quickly.

Karen was not like that. She was a steady, constant light, the focused individual, who stayed on task - somebody who was there working quietly and efficiently in the background.

We often forget how important people like Karen are. It's like we forget how beautiful and necessary the sun is until it fades into the west and darkness descends upon us. Even though light will not be emitted from Karen again, like every living thing that depends on the sun, we have grown a bit because of her energy and example. The effect of her life on us remains. The memory of her still will warm us on the cold winter nights.

I rediscovered the brightness she cast on my life after 33 years, the warmth that she brought, while planning our high school reunion. It was like I was in high school again.

Karen was always so studious, but I was one who had the pleasure of going out on a date with her years ago and discovered the part of her that enjoyed a good bit of fun. I can still hear her laughter like cool water in the spring splashing on rocks in a stream. Yes, I had to endure a discussion about Wagnerian opera with a school chum she met on the bus. In spite of all of my fears, we enjoyed our evening very much. She had the gift of making everybody feel at ease, even if I thought the guy’s name was “Wagner” not “Vagner”. I often thought if she wondered why I didn’t ask her out again. Quite simply, I was in awe of her.

Then the cancer came. I’m sure most of you have lost somebody to cancer. The disease gradually takes bits from you like petals from a flower. She loves me; she loves me not. In the end, there is not much left. The last petal is plucked – she loves me! Yes, in spite of any disagreement, Karen never seemed to hold a grudge. She gave love until the very end until she could do so no more. She loved me! She loved many! A deep, genuine, honest love that wished the very best for you.

We often joked of how we would dance when she recovered. We would have a party at the top of the CN Tower. Well, Karen, I'm still holding you to that dream and that promise. One day we will dance. I'm no Fred Astaire and you are no Ginger Rogers, but we will dance. We will hold each other tight and rejoice in the friendship we share. We will dance the dance that says that life continues after death. And you will smile that precious smile that we all came to love. Until then, enjoy your new life. Ask all of those questions you had down here – the ones that books couldn’t answer, then tell me what you have learned. We will have a lot to talk about when we meet again, but we will meet again.