Count your blessings - for Karen W

This weekend draws to a close with a sad farewell to a lovely lady. I went to the funeral of Karen on Thursday. It was a beautiful personal service and evocative of who Karen was. Her three children stood for the eulogy and it was as you would expect very moving. To all intents and purposes she was a bubbly funny lady full of life and mischief. I got to know her on a personal development course at work and we had lots in common. One of our first little adventures as she called them came about when we had our colours done. It turned out we were both wearing the wrong colour for our hair and skin tone, in fact each was wearing what the other should so in the break we went and swapped outfits, in the toilets giggling like a couple of kids and then trying to keep a straight face whilst waiting for the others to notice.
Prior to the course our only contact had been by email and so we just exchanged pleasantries. After the course that changed and one of our constant sources of amusement were the medical appointments she had to send to my station. We started trying to think of all the possible alternatives to say the same thing. It was so funny at times that we would end up phoning each other and she would always answer as she knew it was me with a Leslie Phillips type hellooo. Our friendship continued when I covered for 12 months at the station next door to her office. We shared jokes, confidences, talked about our failed relationships, our kids, our lost babies.
When things got tough for her at work I tried to give guidance and advice and visited her at home when she was off work. Regrets? Yes definately that we seemed to lose touch after this, only the occasional text or Facebook message. That she didn't feel able to share the way that she was feeling or ask for more support. That I didn't recognise her withdrawal as a sign she was struggling. Under the surface of that devil-may-care attitude she was obviously suffering and in pain and for that I will always feel truly sorry and sad. That the world has lost a one in a million diamond and those children have lost their mom is such a terrible shame and such a waste.
So another reminder that we should be grateful for what we have, those who love us. Kiss your babies and treasure the good times. Never judge another until you have walked a mile in their shoes and never be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Sleep tight Curly Kaz, until we meet again for that great big party in heaven.