Many of you have asked how to send a letter or card to Karen. If you would like to send any words of encouragement to Karen please feel free. Anything she gets would lift her spirits.
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Karen's e-mail:
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November 16, 2009- Today would have been Karen's 38th birthday. The boys and I went out to the cemetary today and stayed a little while. The boys made two birthday cards each for Karen. We laid one they had each made and lamintated on the headstone. We had also gone to Kroger and bought some balloons. We got two purple balloons and one blue and one green. Purple was Karen's favorite color and blue is Carter's and green is Hunter's. We rolled up the other two homemade birthday cards and tied them to the balloon strings. Hunter and Carter released the balloons and cards up to heaven. We left a mylar balloon at the headstone with the laminated cards. We often talk about Karen and all of us miss her dearly. We think about the good times we had together.
The boys and I are getting along. In case you haven't heard, I found a wonderful, understanding person and remarried this past summer. The boys love her and she does them. She's a teacher in Cobb County and I have moved the boys to Cobb County School System. Ironically they are in the same elementary school that I attended many years ago. Last week, my mom and dad, sister's family, Hunter, Carter, my new wife and I went on a Disney Cruise. It is my mom and dad's Christmas gift to all of us this year. We all had a wonderful time. I often thought about how much Karen wanted to take the boys to Disney and was never able.
Hunter and Carter are looking forward to the upcoming holiday season and Hunter's birthday next month. We did not decorate the house last year for the holidays and we are looking forward to getting the decorations out soon. I know that when we do, there will be a wave of memories with every box that I open.
It's hard to believe that basically a year has gone by since Karen died. As I'm sure you remember she died on the 21st, just 5 days after her birthday. I know that we'll all be reunited one day but that doesn't make us miss her any less. I hope all of you have an enjoyable holiday season.
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February 3, 2009- It's now been a little over two months since we laid Karen to rest. The boys and I are slowly learning to adjust to our new lives without her. I have worked out a pretty good routine with getting the boys back and forth to school on the days I work. I am able to drop them off over at my mom and dad's and they get them to school and pick them up. I have several off days though because I still work 12 hour shifts so I get to have a lot of time with the boys. We get out and do things just like Karen would enjoy. The other night we went bowling with a gift certificate my sister had given us for Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, we survived this year; that's about the best I can describe it. The boys and I spent Christmas Eve at my mom and dad's and Santa visited there. On Christmas Day we went over to Karen's brother's house and stayed most of the day with Dora and John. The boy's enjoy spending time with Nana and Papa and have spent the night at their house some. They may again this coming Saturday night.
The headstone is now up at the cemetery and it is beautiful. We are real pleased with the way it turned out. We had a picture of Karen that was taken last summer in Panama City Beach put on the front, along with a green ribbon. I keep meaning to take the camera and get a picture to post here. I will do that soon so check back and hopefully it will be up.
As you know I still check Karen's email daily and post any new messages that are left on the website. I will always treasure and appreciate each and every one of them. Thank you all for your words of encouragment; they have helped us through the most difficult time of my, my boy's, and Karen's family's lives.
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December 20, 2008 - I wanted to get a post in before Christmas and tonight seemed like the right time. As some of you know, today was Hunter's birthday; he turned 7. All day I thought back to when Karen and I were in Iowa on the day Hunter was born. We were so happy.
We had a party for him today at my mom and dad's house. I just couldn't do it at our house this year like we have always done in the past. The house has always been decorated for Christmas and it has always been such a joyful event. This year I could not get out the decorations so it just wouldn't have been right to have his party here. He had a good party nonetheless. When I gave Hunter his birthday present I made sure to tell him it was from mommy and daddy. I almost choked when I told him. Before we left our house to head over to mom and dad's, Hunter said he wanted to go to the cemetery to talk to mommy on his birthday. Needless to say, I have really struggled today to hold it together.
Karen's mom and dad and I designed her memorial stone a couple of weeks ago. It should be up soon and I will take a picture and post it.
I want to take a minute to say thank you to all of you who have thought about us recently; from the donations, to the cards, to the sponsoring of Hunter and Carter for Christmas, to Rachel Tuenge and her family for the train ride. To all of you who have sent or done something, to anyone who has listened to me talk about Karen or anyone who simply said a prayer; THANK YOU. We will always be grateful.
Tomorrow will be one month since Karen's passing. Anniversaries are usually joyous occassions but not always I guess.
I did have to return to work a little sooner than what I had anticipated but it's been alright. When I'm there I constantly think I should call Karen and check on her. I just miss her and want to hear her voice.
The boys and I did move back home and it has been going good. We are glad to be in our home. We get lonely but we have each other. I try to occupy my time the best I can with chores or getting out and taking care of business. Lately it seems like I've had no option but to stay busy. Every day something else comes up that I have to take care of.
Christmas is quickly approaching and the boys are looking forward to it. I can't really say the same for me. I think I will be especially glad when the holidays have come and gone this year and we say goodbye to 2008. This has most definitely been the most difficult year of my life. 2007 held such high hopes with Karen's apparent recovery and 2008 wiped it all away. I will be glad to say hello to 2009 although New Year's Eve will be difficult. That night has always been special for Karen and I. Our first date was on New Year's Eve 1994. She asked me to a party downtown, I accepted, and the rest as they, is history.
Hunter, Carter and I hopes everyone has a Merry Christmas. I will post again sometime in the New Year.
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December 1 2008 - One week ago today I laid my dear Karen to rest. Everyday since has been harder than the one before; I miss her so much it hurts. On some days, like today, I try to stay somewhat busy doing some of the things that have to be done. I've been back to our house some and everything there reminds me of her. I do enjoy being there though because it is ours; it is the home that we were building for our family. I am trying to spend more and more time there so I can work up to staying there at nights with the boys. For now I am still at my parents house. On Thanksgiving I went to Karen's family in the afternoon the way we always did. It was good to visit with everybody at Aunt Helen's. Friday I stayed on the couch basically all day (she died on the Friday prior) and on Saturday I tried to watch some college football. Even though UGA got beat by Tech, it just didn't matter the way it used to. Because of my employer's policy with donated leave I will have to go back to work either this Wednesday or next Monday. It will be somewhat of an escape but I know my attention will be elsewhere most of the time. The kids went back to school today. They had been out on Thanksgiving break. I go to the cemetery most everyday and every time I'm there I think this cannot be real. I guess it's still somewhat denial. Dora, John, and I are going to pick out her headstone later this week. We've seen one in particular in the cemetery that we like. So many of you have sent cards, gifts, or flowers and I along with Karen's parents appreciate each and every one of them. I am saving everything and plan on making a memorial something for Hunter and Carter. I still haven't figured out exactly what but I plan on doing something. I still read each and every message sent and treasure all of them. Thank you for everything that you have done for us over the past few years and recently. I will never forget each gesture. I will post here from time to time. If you would like to email me I am keeping Karen's email address active at arrowoodk@bellsouth.net.