Share your memories of Karen

[Wait4it]

On the anniversary of Karen's birth, I thought it would be nice for us to share some memories of our special friend. I didn't know her as well as I would have liked. I'd really love to hear about the special times others had with her.

[keb]

OMG I woke up thinking of her today.

I "met" Karen @ TMS she was always there with the great picture finds and snarky remarks. When the Idol Tour came to The Meadowlands here in NJ I went the first night by myself (by taxi since I don't drive $100.00 rt fare)

After seeing Taylor I needed to go back again so I went on line and ask Karen if she wanted to go with me. The adventure was on we had no idea what each other looked like or if in RL or if we would even get along but we made our plans. Our fears were unfounded we click right away there were so many missteps that night it could fill a novel suffice it to say we laughed till our sides ached. We had many adventures after that and way too many late night phone calls. After I moved to my new house Karen lived even closer and a frequent visitor.

Last year while having the same procedure that took her from us things started to go wrong and I felt her there with me telling me to "just breath" and it would be alright. The doctor asked me later who I was talking too I told him "an angel on my shoulder and a good friend."

Miss you Karen

[UHadMeAtWooHoo]

I love it that you started this thread! I remember finally meeting Karen in Wrentham when we got a group together to watch Taylor play basketball on TV We had been online together for quite awhile before that, dating back to SPM on TMS.

She was so much fun at dinner one night with our waiter and the video of
"Boston Taylor" complete with her hand motions to illustrate Taylor's um state of mind lol After that we were lucky enough to meet at several fraufests. I remember laughing at the porn turtles statue in one of the hotels

One of the funniest times of all was in B'ham when Linda,Karen, and I went to Walgreens because she wanted to clear a memory card to take more pics for show #2 at Workplay. The guy working the photo booth couldn't understand why it was taking so long to load, and he turned out to be someone who knew Taylor. Karen "I can't imagine how those 700 pictures of Taylor Hicks got on there" rofl One of those "you had to be there" stories, as it was hysterical in person but doesn't translate as well in the telling...

I also remember how many memories we shared of growing up,remembering the same tv shows, make up, toys, snacks (she loved Bugles and I always think of her when I see them), clothes, etc.
Check out her notes on her Facebook page if you need a laugh!

I loved her writing-she was truly laugh out loud funny, and her pictures are outstanding. That one of Taylor and the boots in the air!! I miss her on Twitter especially, the laughs she could cram into 140 characters or less used to make my day at work

I loved your story Kathy

[Freebird]

I got to know Karen very well when we were both members of the SOS board. At that time, her mother (who she was extremely close to) was very sick. Karen would come onto the board and share both juicy gossip/great pictures of Taylor, but also the more personal aspect of what she was going through (it was at that time that we also got to know her great husband Ken). She was also incredibly caring about the members there and always remembered to ask people about their lives and families. When Karen's mother died, I felt almost as if I had lost a family member of my own.

Back in 2008, several members left the SOS board at once because of a dispute among the membership. Later, several of us were also banned at the same time -- Karen and I were two of those people, but that's a completely different story (though the positive outcome of that whole fiasco is that it landed me here at THR). Many of those people were very close friends, and so it was a difficult time for me. Karen was the one that helped me through that time by always checking in on me by email and IM. She rescued me from the brink of Taylor fandom on many occasions as well. That was the time that she and I started chatting on yahoo just about every night, many times for hours on end. Just as on the SOS board, it was a great mixture of juicy Taylor stuff (she was an amazing picture sleuth!!!), mixed in with heartfelt talk about our lives, families and personal struggles. Often we would make each other laugh so hard that one or the other of us would have to run to the bathroom to pee! LOL... I know that Karen felt that way about many people, and it was her style to have many chat windows open at the same time so that she could keep up with the latest on her closest friends.

I was blessed to be able to spend time with Karen on several occasions -- most notably the NESP party in SE Mass and WorkPlay in September of 2009. I remember driving around Cape Cod with Karen and some other friends during the NESP party weekend, watching her let go of her personal stress and relax as she took fabulous photos of the gorgeous lighthouses and beaches on the Cape. I knew it took an effort for her to be able to go to WorkPlay that year, but I am so glad she was part of an experience that was not to be missed.

The things I remember about Karen the most are her wicked sense of humor, her caring heart, and her "Karen-isms" -- I still find myself saying "forty eleven times" or "I need professional help". And her most famous Karen-ism about Ken holding her Coach bag (won't repeat the rest here in polite company) goes down in the annals of Taylor fandom as one of the funniest things ever said.

Karen leaves a lasting legacy in the fact that so many people miss her and remember her with such fondness. I wish she was still here to chat with until 3 AM, or to join the ongoing fraufests. I miss her sorely.

[pearlpattie]

I'm so glad I found this here today...kept seeing her on FB and just didn't want to post there...

I'd seen Karen on may occasions during the 2007 tour with Kathy and the crew they went around with...she had a striking look so I always remembered her especially....I wish now that our paths had crossed sooner...

My best memory is the 10-hour "lunch" at the Mexican restaurant...I went to see Marcie in Freehold and Kathy and Karen met us at around 1:00 and we never left till after 10:30...we spoke about everything - Taylor of course, and our own personal stresses and hopes...I mainly remember at that time the new baby was born and she was really in turmoil....at one point we were alone at the table and she so wanted some peace and harmony in her life and I, of course, reassured her that it would all come together for her.

Shortly after that lunch I was flitting around the boards on a Saturday night and she found me and directed me here for chat....it lasted well into the night and was so much fun...her tweets and posts usually made my day, so clever....I was looking forward to getting closer with our road trips and thankfully I was able to do Workplay that year when she went also...we had such fun talking around the tables in the hotel downstairs...I think alot of us bonded on that trip...

It still boggles my mind all the great gals I've had the pleasure of hanging out with, talking music with and mostly laughing with...she should still be here, but life is unfair...

I miss you Karen, and although I came late to know you, I think about you often and always dearly...

[Wait4it]

Reading these touching tributes to Karen has me smiling through my tears. I read all of your posts to my husband as he is well aware of Karen's role in my online rebirth. His comment? "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

[Legacy]

I don't know if I can do this. Reading all the post has me crying and laughing. I did not have an opportunity to spend much in person time with karen. Sadly I was told by someone who lied to me that Karen did not like me so I would avoid her. One night we were both on Ning and she Pm me I was surprised and responded. We ended up "talking" in private messages for hours that night. I finally got up the nerve at one point to ask her about what I was told. She told me she was told I did not like her by the same person. We realized that for whatever reason this person had lied to us.
After that night we often connected on line gossiping about Taylor, laughing and sharing things from our lives. She was always pushing me to start a blog as she liked to read my posts and thought I could write. I think about that all the time... One day I will find a web designer and set that up, and it will all be because Karen was always encouraging me. I often go on line late at night, that is always the time of day when I miss Jackson and when the loneliness almost takes me out. Karen would always be there to talk to and make me laugh.
It is after midnight now and I am a bit blue and lonely and not only do I miss Jackson but I miss that caring soul who reached out in the night and made me laugh and would always end those online conversations can you sleep now? And I could always fall asleep knowing that she was there to talk if the ghost of my life returned to keep me awake.
Karen, I really feel your presence on this board so I think you are still among us and reading this thread! You were loved my friend and deeply missed. Smooches

[Wait4it]

Jody, even that mean spirited individual couldn't keep two souls in need apart.
Thank you for your post. It's like a warm blanket for my insomnia.
I hope you sleep well tonight.

[UHadMeAtWooHoo]

Can someone pass the kleenex?

[Freebird]

Jody I loved your post about Karen. I remember well the whole fiasco that happened with the person saying you didn't like her and vice versa, and how upset she was by all of that. I am so happy you found your way to each other so that you could both get to know and love each other before she was gone too soon.

I know this may sound far-fetched, but I do think she is still with us in very powerful ways.