Memorial for Karen Ann, Grieving The Loss Of A Mother

Hey Family! I would like to start by opening up for my absence over the last couple weeks. My Partner Bre’s Mom, Karen Ann, suddenly passed away early Sunday morning on Oct. 25th. Losing her was a low blow for our family. The thought that our parents are supposed to last forever grimly reminded us that, that isn’t the truth. I am so thankful for all of the kind words and prayers we’ve gotten. The random visits from family & friends and expressions of love. She will be truly missed.

We have set a Go Fund Me Memorial Fund in her name for anyone that would like to contribute to her Memory. Link: HERE. All donations are welcome.

Preparing for an untimely loss seems impossible, but I’ve soon learned that creating a plan and following a few guidelines makes the process bearable. Planning a funeral service is not easy. This is the first service I was asked and honored to be apart of.

They assigned me the task of writing her obituary and helping out where I could with anything else. I lit up with joy knowing I could be counted on to help with something so important. I can share that with you guys, right?

I’ve never written a document so serious, nor planned a funeral before, and I had no idea where to start. I searched Google, Pinterest, and asked our family for direction and good tips to help us execute this on such short notice. Bre’s siblings got down to business from the moment it happened, everyone was on the same page.

The funny thing is she wasn’t a traditional mom, Bre & her mom’s relationship was hilarious. Bre would irk her nerves until she couldn’t help but burst out laughing at how goofy Bre is. She was a feisty and fearless woman entire neighborhoods wouldn’t dare to try her. I am in awe of how her four children stepped up and are handling the loss of their mom. It definitely shows how each one of them had a different relationship with her. No matter the case they all loved her dearly and will go to the end of the earth for her.

“The pain doesn’t go away. You just make room for it.” This quote from The Walking Dead is the best saying I have heard about the grieving process. I’m researching more on how to support your grieving spouse and it’s comforting to know this is an area many people struggle in. This article helped me put it into perspective and is helping me be there for Bre.

I’m thankful to be here for my extended family and that they trust my opinions and wanted my input. Let me know if you would like a guide on how we came together and planned this Memorial service. I took a lot of notes and I am more than willing to share my knowledge with you all. I pray health and longevity for you and your loved ones.

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.

Poem by David Harkins

We have set a Go Fund Me Memorial Fund in her name for anyone that would like to contribute to her Memory. Link: HERE. All donations are welcome.

Her service will be this coming Friday, November 6th, 2020. If you would like to attend, contact me and I will send you the details. Thank You!

Be Blessed, Be Love, and

Be Compassionate