My dearest Karen
My dearest Karen, My only child, My best friend, My angel,
“How do I love you? Let me count the ways.”
WE HAVE been together for most of our lives. Your father died when you were two years old, and the only times we were apart were when you attended university in Canada and the year you spent singing in Las Vegas. When you were a very little girl, you said, “Mummy, I am never going to leave you.” You have lived up to that promise. God found you a husband who was willing to live with his mother-in-law, and the rest is history. Karen, your love enfolded me. You told everyone how much you loved your mother, and I will be eternally grateful for the years we spent together. When you were in prep school, you told me that during a class, the students were asked to name their best friend. You told them that your best friend was your mother, and this was a surprise to most of your classmates.
Your generosity had no boundaries. You had such a kind heart. You knew how to make people feel loved, important, special, whether by a touch, a smile, a hug, a kind word. You shared yourself with people and that made your performances stand out in their memories.
You were generous with your time and talent. Many are the churches and schools that have called to tell me how many years you assisted them in fundraising or other events, singly or with your group of singing friends. I have been told that you sometimes gave up paid opportunities in order to fulfil charitable engagements. You were generous with your money. You never missed an opportunity to ‘stretch your hand’ to the boys at the traffic lights, to people who needed to fill a prescription, to help with school fees, and to some who I thought just felt that you were rich.
A representative of one of the bands which regularly accompanied you, told me that because of your charisma and charm, they nicknamed you ‘Miss Personality’. You always told them thanks at the end of your shows. Karen, I am proud of the life you have lived. I thank God that he used me to raise such an extraordinary human being. You were an angel who was only lent to us. You accomplished your assignment and God has called you home. Your name will live on in the scholarships and other memorials which are being set up to honour you.
Sleep well, my love.
From your mother, Barbara