Karen's service was today. It went very well, and everyone had the same thing to say. The nicest person anyone could have the opportunity to meet, she never wanted to leave anyone out, and had a million dollar smile. The picture over there doesn't really show that smile too well, but it's the only one that I was able to find online of her.

To carry on where I left off last time, as I showed up to that Perkins outing, It was a great surprise to see her there. She stood up and immediately opened her arms for a hug. This is the first time I'd seen her since the tenth grade, which was 4 years ago at that point. I gave her a gentle hug, not knowing how she was doing, and she replied with "Hug me like you mean it damn it!" Thats how I'm going to remember her.

A few days later new years came around, and Adam (a good friend, and old co-worker of mine, also the best friend of Karen) and I had a party to go to, well Karen being in and out of the hospital so often (which I had no clue of up until this past week) wanted to come along while she was still feeling well enough to go out and about. Stupidly, I had Adam have his contact pick up all the beer for this party, and instead of getting miller genuine draft, it was miller high life... no thanks. I had a beer and a half there, and that was enough of that trash. Being as we were all underage there, Adam very sneakily walked across the street with his beer as we walked up to the house, while I slowly just walked with a case of beer in hand, following behind Karen, who was having so much trouble walking because of the pain. The front stoop to get into the house took her a while, but I have all the patience in the world for someone like her.



Once again, I've got prior engagements at the bike shop I need to attend to, nothing like a funeral and an employee poker shindig all in one day right? I'd just like to say that I'm still sad that she had to pass so young, but it was really for the best, she was in so much pain. I'm not a religious person by any means, but I really hope I can run into her again some day. Till later, I will carry on. Thanks Az and Joy, I truly appreciate being able to just write this down and get it out. It's very liberating to just let the text flow, and get it out there instead of keeping it all inside. To be continued again.