Our Beautiful Blue-Eyed Kara Anne,
July 13 2007- Dec 26 2009
As many of you know, our family experienced a devastating loss when our 2 and 1/2 yr old niece Kara died inexplicably in her sleep on Dec 26. We continue to ask that you keep Kara's mom Kathy and dad Tim & sister Samantha in your prayers, but we *do* trust that we will see Kara again in heaven... and in the mean time, we feel certain there is a little blue-eyed angel in heaven whom we adore. We've included here the wonderful poems read at Kara's memorial and some adorable photos of our niece. Our beautiful little niece is remembered with such love... and we celebrate Kara's life and time with us, however brief. She made a tremendous impact on all who knew her and loved her. Indeed, she is sorely missed here, but she is and forever will be a part of our family and hearts -- we look forward to holding her again... in the next place. We thank God for the knowledge that Love is Eternal.
Here are the poems read at Kara's beautiful memorial:
"Love Lives On"
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one’s gone.
Those we love can never be more than a thought apart,
for as long as there is a memory,
they’ll live on in the heart.
Kara, your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping, but we have you in our hearts.
~~~~~~~~
"Little Angel"
God sent an angel, Kara, to the earth...
The sweetest angel too –
and for such a tiny little thing,
she had so much to do.
She knew she did not have much time upon this earth to stay,
so she did not waste a second;
she got started right away.
Her eyes were bright and sparkly,
she took in every turn.
She did not miss a single thing,
because Angel came to learn!
God sent her here to touch the hearts
of those He could not reach...
She taught them courage, strength and faith,
because Angel came to teach.
Her tiny little body was so full of God above,
you felt it when you held her,
because Kara came to love.
In two and a half years she managed what many never will.
When she went home to Jesus,her purpose was fulfilled.
She learned and taught, loved and played;
she learned her lessons well.
I know He was so proud of her
when she went home to dwell.
But when I miss her OH-SO-MUCH,
I can almost hear Him say,“Please understand,
her work was done...Kara did not come to stay.”
~~~~~~~~~
"The Next Place"
by Warren Hanson
The next place that I go
Will be as peaceful and familiar
As a sleepy summer Sunday
And a sweet, untroubled mind.
And yet . . .
It won't be anything like any place I've ever been. . .
Or seen. . . or even dreamed of
In the place I leave behind.
I'll glide beyond the rainbows. I'll drift above the sky.
I'll fly into the wonder, without ever wondering why.
I won't remember getting there.
Somehow I'll just arrive.
But I'll know that I belong there
And will feel much more alive
Than I have ever felt before.
There will be no room for darkness in that place of living light,
Where an ever-dawning morning pushes back the dying night.
The very air will fill with brilliance, as the brightly shining sun
And the moon and half a million stars are married into one.
The next place that I go won't really be a place at all.
There won't be any seasons --
Winter, summer, spring or fall --
Nor a Monday, Nor a Friday,
Nor December, Nor July.
And the seconds will be standing still. . .
While hours hurry by.
I will travel empty-handed.
There is not a single thingI have collected in my life
That I would ever want to bring Except. . .
The love of those who loved me,
And the warmth of those who cared.
The happiness and memories
And magic that we shared.
Though I will know the joy of solitude. . .
I'll never be alone.
I'll be embraced
By all the family and friends I've ever known.
Although I might not see their faces,
All our hearts will beat as one,
And the circle of our spirits
Will shine brighter than the sun.
I will cherish all the friendships I was fortunate to find,
All the love and all the laughter in the place I leave behind.
All these good things will go with me.
They will make my spirit glow.
And that light will shine forever in the next place that I go.
~~~~~~
We love you, Kara!
