My Aunt Karen (1968-2023)

On October 14th we received a life-altering phone call. My Aunt Karen, my mom's sister and best friend, had had a stroke while they were on vacation in South Carolina. She was rushed to the hospital where they did surgery to remove the blood clot but during the operation, there was a brain aneurysm and Aunt Karen began bleeding in her brain. She remained in a coma, on full life-support, and there was only a small hope, but through a miracle from the Lord, that she would survive. The next days were a horrible nightmare of tears, traveling, and crying out to the Lord to allow her to stay with us. The day following her stroke, Mom, Dad, and I traveled down to South Carolina to see her and the family. It was a surreal moment standing there outside the ICU doors waiting for my turn to see her. We returned home quickly as Mom had to immediately fly to Kansas to break the news to Grandma. We continued to wait and pray and on October 18, 2023, Aunt Karen beheld the face of the Savior Whom she loved so much.  

All through those horrible days, the scripture Deuteronomy 33:27 was continually on my mind, "...underneath are the everlasting arms." My faith was strong in my belief in the Lord's sovereignty and perfect plan. If Aunt Karen still had work to accomplish for the Lord, then no medical prognosis or surgery could kill her, but if she had completed the tasks He had given her, then no procedure, medicine and no amount of time could keep her here. Aunt Karen's last text to me was, "The Lord will accomplish all He has planned. Nothing can thwart His purposes." The Lord's plan is much bigger than our temporal eyes can behold and His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30).  She ran her race, she finished her course, and she kept the faith.  

However, trust in the Lord's will working ultimate good in our lives, does not lessen our clinging to the relationships we enjoy here on earth and when one is taken, hearts break, as ours have been. Growing up, my siblings and I were like another set of children to Aunt Karen and Uncle Tom, and their children, Matthew (now with Katie), Chase, and Kate were like another set of siblings. We were just about as close as we could be. Aunt Karen was one of my biggest cheerleaders. She loved well. She faithfully made me feel like she saw me for me, not just one of the group, but singular with my own individual needs and interests. She loved well. She was such a loving and loyal supporter of this blog and in my desire to reach out to other girls, as she had the same heart. She loved well. She was a master storyteller and we loved hearing her tell stories in her dramatic and expressive way that would often leave us laughing. She loved well. She was an amazing example of one who invested in relationships and delighted in the body of Christ. She loved well. She had an extreme passion for the Word of God and thrived when teaching it to other women. She loved well. She enjoyed matcha tea, Korean food, dancing, and singing. She loved well. She adored her husband, children, and daughter-in-law. She loved well. One of her ultimate favorite places to be was the beach and South Carolina became a haven of rest for her, and it was there she had the stroke, sitting overlooking the beach. She loved well.

I love you, Aunt Karen. Thank you for loving me. 

I miss you...so much.