My heart is broken....

On August 8 our neighbor and close friend Karen Holland was killed in a car accident..... Karen was more than our friend, she was our family along with her husband Mark, and children Cramer and Maren. I talked to Karen everyday, multiple times. We spent a lot of time together and she taught me so much. Some memories of Karen:

• When we first moved next door she was always outside- but never really said hi! She used to tell me she was anti-social and she didn't have friends.
• St. Louis Cardinals baseball was the greatest thing in the world- next to her family.
• She got up every morning at 4:30am to workout and clean her house.
• She loved animals and reading books.
• She did not like children- but she LOVED my children.
• She would tell people what she thought not matter what.
• She LOVED her family.
• Shortly after we moved in, her and I got drunk at a neighbors party. Karen made me lay in her new bed with her, we threw rocks at our other neighbors window, and we had a blast!!
• She would go on vacation with her family every year. She told me that you never know what can happen in life and she wanted to spend that time with them.
• She was my voice of reason- she gave me advice on everything and was always there for me.
• She read at our wedding.
• She would check in everyday to see if Kamryn was making her arrival- the night I went into the hospital I talked with her in the street.
• She kept candy in a jar at her house for Reagan.
• She didn't cook much... but made some of the best pasta and we would eat it together at least once a month.
• She got to meet Kamryn and hold her. I am sad Kamryn will not get to know her.
• She was always there............................................

There is not enough space for me to write all of my memories. I can not write down everything she taught me. My last memory of Karen was when she was leaving with her daughter and niece. The came over while I was going on a walk to see the girls. She gave Reagan a kiss and said I love you and got in the car.... I will cherish that memory forever. Here is 2 pictures of Karen taken at Maren's prom......

I love you Karen and I will forever miss you............
Life without you sucks...
I know in time it will get easier, but it will never be easy......