Music playing is titled: I CAN'T CRY HARD ENOUGH by Susan Ashton I'm gonna live my life Like every day's the last Without a simple good-bye It all goes by so fast. And now that you're gone I can't cry hard enough No I can't cry hard enough For you to hear me now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gonna open my eyes And see for the first time I've let go of you if you like A child letting go of his kite. There it goes up in the sky There it goes beyond the clouds For no reason why... I can't cry hard enough No I can't cry hard enough For you to hear me now. I'm going to look back in vain And see you standing there When all that remains Is just an empty chair. And now that you're gone I can't cry hard enough No I can't cry hard enough For you to hear me now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GONE UP IN THE SKY, BEYOND THE CLOUDS, FOR NO REASON WHY... Karen was a sophomore at Rio Rancho High School, New Mexico. She is described by classmates as quick with a smile and a warm hug. She was an all American teen who enjoyed playing soccer, reading Chicken Soup for the Soul book collection, hanging out with her friends and seeing rock concerts of her favorite bands, such as Korn and Rob Zombie. She was an original, the kind of person other kids went to with their problems, and was willing to help anybody that needed to be helped. Her teachers described her as a pleasure to have in class, a vibrant, lively teenager with a wonderful sense of humor. She was never afraid to voice her opinions if she had something to say, and her best and dearest friend was her brother, she even dressed up as him on Halloween. Karen also had a very unique relationship with me, her mom, and although sometimes we argued our differences, we were close and she was never afraid to come to me and her step father with her problems. Karen has left behind a legacy of love, and one of the things I will always treasure is a caption in her journal, that said: " The parent I am most alike, is my mom. Everything about me screams out Margaret. I have her looks, her talent for art and writing and her mind. She is one of those people that has beauty in the inside, she is strong and an achiever. I want to be just like her." This is the greatest gift of love Karen has given me, and she had become much more than just like me. She was a beautiful person. She enjoyed life and living... Her Medals Display on her bedroom wall. Karen enjoyed school, the only time she felt school was a bore was when Rio Rancho High School demanded that the kids wore uniforms, she did not like the idea and voiced her opinion in a very mature manner as being violated of her identity and her civil rights. She was an above average student and had began this last year of her life to think of her career goals for the future, she was already looking into the best Medical Schools, her goal was to become a heart surgeon. Karen had many memorable achievements throughout her school years and proudly displayed her medals, trophies and certificates on her bedroom wall. Here are some of the achievements she was proud of: .In the 5th grade she won 2nd place on a Savings Bond Poster Contest and A Savings Bond in the amount of a thousand dollars was presented to her by Senator Maltese in New York City. All through Elementary School she has won many Contests including a Computer System which she has donated to her school.     .She was very proud of her Karate 1st and 2nd place medals and trophies, she was a purple belt. She was also one hell of a tap and modern dancer and has performed at various New York City State festivities. . In 1999 she was A Soccer Coach for the Girls Soccer Youth in Rio Rancho. She also was a tap dance instructor at New Mexico Dance Connection. . She was also very proud that in the end of November 1999 up to the date of her parting this earth, she had her first job as a hostess and cashier at Seferino's Restaurant. She was proud of her performance on the job and was loved by everyone for her hard work. LAUGHTER AND HUGS SLIDE SHOW See more pictures of Karen and her closest .friends MY SISTER AND I Doug's dedication to Karen and their closeness as brother and sister. They were best friends, always watching over one another. KAREN AND JOHN A dedication page from Karen's first love. Sweet experience of first relationship between adolescents. Karen was always very compassionate towards everybody and have helped suicidal and runaways thus making it possible for these kids to find themselves. The city of Rio Rancho along with the efforts of her friends, donated a permanent memorial in her memory. CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE. Please read this article in a Naval Newspaper, targeting Drunk Drivers as a tribute to Karen. Customer Service Do's and Dont's - By Lt Don Capoldo, Naval Hospital Lemoore, PAO SERVING AN ANGEL I miss your smile, your warmth, the secrets we shared together. How empty my life is without you. My mother, myself and you. The continuity of the 3 generations forever gone. We will never know how would you have looked like as an adult. Would you have looked like us? IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord your soul would keep. If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and a kiss and call you back for more. If I knew it would be the last time that I'd hear your voice lifted in praise, I would videotape each action and word so I could play them back day after day. If I knew it would be the last time I could spare an extra minute or two, to stop and say I LOVE YOU, instead of assuming, you would know I do. If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, well... I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let this one slip away. For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and we always get a second chance to make things right. There will always be another day to say our I LOVE YOU'S and certainly there's another chance to say our ANY THING I CAN DO'S? But just in case I might be wrong and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I LOVE YOU and hope we never forget... Tomorrow is promised to no one, young or old alike, and Today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight. So if you're waiting for Tomorrow, why not do it Today? For if Tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day, that you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug or a kiss... and you were too busy to grant someone what turned out to be their last wish. Hold your loved ones close Today. Whisper in their ear. Tell them how much you Love them and that you'll always hold them dear. Take the time to say I'M SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME, THANK YOU, or IT'S OKAY, and if Tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about Today. On the day that the crash happened we kissed and said our "I love you's", and it was the last time we held each other. This last goodbye became very important to me, it is etched in my mind how her last I love you made a difference in my self worth as a mother. I truly hope that all parents take a moment of their time to let your children know that they are deeply loved, because one cannot count on tomorrows to make amends. Karen was an organ donor, she gave the gift of sight to two recipients. I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when the day is done. I'd like to leave an echo, whispering softly down the ways, Of happy laughing times and bright sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, To dry before the sun, Of happy memories I leave behind, when the day is done. Home | Karen's Photo Memories and Achievements | How the Accident Happened Web Rings I belong to | Karen's Memorial Garden | The Court, how the Justice System works About MADD - Mother's against drunk drivers | Light a Candle for Karen This Mom will not shut up | Coping with Grief My Son's Recovery from the Crash | Awards Received