LOOK FOR GIFTS IN EVERYTHING
I'm Karen Garcia.
My story is about reaching for the joy when there appears to be no hope. It is about truly living, in moments when I wanted to quit. But I am a survivor and I will persevere. To be a role model to my daughter is what keeps me moving forward, one day at a time.
Please read on to find out more about my story and my mission!
Read my story here.
FEBRUARY 1, 2011 UPDATE
Our dear Karen left us on January 27, 2011. Please read below for Karen's JOYful parting words.
-
Restless Soul and Zaiden's Gift
Eulogy by Dave Garcia
I’m Karen’s brother. When she and I were growing up together, she used to say that if we had grown up in the 60’s, I would have been in the Army fighting in Vietnam and she would have been a hippie back in the United States protesting the war. This was her way of saying, “Dave and I are different people”... we have different ideologies, different politics, and different ideas about the world.
Anyone who ever knew Karen, knew that it was VERY important for her to set herself apart from conventional ideas. As my parents and their spouses can attest, Karen used to spend hours debating many subjects: From bedtimes and choice of schools earlier in life to career choices and parenting philosophies as an adult. Karen always had to be different.
The fact is, Karen and I are not that different. We have similar political beliefs and we have some important traits in common: We are hard-working, passionate, and extremely strong-willed. We share these traits with our brother, Mark, and we inherited these traits from our parents.
To be clear….when God was handing out the strong-willed gene, he gave Karen a triple dose.
Karen had an unwavering belief in her ideas and she was an extremely strong person. She was worthy of all of our respect because, whether you agreed with her or not, she was always strong in her beliefs.
When Karen was 8 years old, she was hit by a car. It was a rough time for our family. She broke both of her legs and she was in traction and a body cast. As Karen laid in a body cast, she told us that she would play baseball within a year...She never had any interest in baseball. At the time, I was only in second grade but I told my Mom there was no way this would happen. The next spring, less than a year later, she was playing in a co-ed baseball league. She probably did it just to prove everyone wrong.
Karen was an actress. All of our aunts, uncles, grandparents, everyone who has known Karen for most of her life knew that she would be a performer. There was never a more perfect career choice for a human being than Karen becoming an actress. She was born to be an actress and it was her passion in life. She was unshakably confident on stage.
From grade school to our 30’s, every time I got the chance to see her in a play, there would always be a moment where I would be struck by the realization that she was disappearing into the role. She was that good...
-
Weep Not for Me
"Weep not for me though I am gone
Into the gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
There is no need for tears.
I am at peace, my soul is at rest
There is no pain, I suffer not,
For with your love I was so blessed.
I am in a place of comfort
The fear now is gone.
Put those things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death
But celebrate my life."If love could have saved Karen, she would have lived forever.
Read at Karen's service by Bobbi Solis
Poem from love-of-poems.com
-
Karen is Free
January 27, 2011
Karen passed away today - she is free.
Sweet Karen, thank you for years of love, sharing your dance, your song, your laugh, your kisses, your art,
your energy and most of all for bringing us our amazing daughter.
You are the single greatest teacher I've ever had and the great love of my life.
You will be honored, cherished, and remembered always in our home - and Zaiden carries with her
your very best of traits and qualities.
Zaiden will be fine - she will thrive! Until we meet again...
Good night sweet Princess, and flights of angels sing thee to thy sleep.- Rick Von Schnier
