Day 474 ~ A Tribute to Lola

In Loving Memory...

Lola Karam

April 2, 2002 ~ September 23, 2012

 I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful. ⁸ So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord. He judges fairly, and on the day of judgment he will give a crown to me and to everyone else who wants him to appear with power. ~2 Timothy 4:7-8

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 370 ~ Life Happens

I was all set with my topic for tonight... however... life happened today.  Funny how it does that!  You can have all the plans in the world and BAM!!!  You get a curve ball.

Today I found out that an old friend passed away one year ago today.  Wow!  Hit me like a ton of bricks.

It wasn't that we were really close, but back in the day (1993) Dave and I worked together; I met his {then} wife through him and she and I remain friends to this day.  Kimberly is definitely on my Dream Team and is one of my best-ies.  

We, Kimberly and I have had one of those relationships where it doesn't matter how much time may go by between phone calls or visits... we manage to pick up where we left off each and every time as if NO time has gone by.

Today I was reminded that life happens.  We are born, we live our "dash", and we die.  

I was also reminded not to take my loved ones for granted.  

I need to make time to call or write a short note, or email to let the people who matter to me know ... well, and let them know they matter to me!  wink, wink.  A.D.D moment.  LOL!!  

So... for this moment I hold my {wine} glass up in Honor of my friend Dave.  

Dave, I hope you finally found your peace.  God Bless you!

I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge will award.  ~ 2 Timothy 4:7-8

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.  U.S Copyright laws apply.  © 2012

Day 268 ~ Here We Come...

Walking down the street..we get the funniest looks... from everyone we meet... 

The all too familiar words from my childhood!  First impulse is to do the Monkee walk to the opening of the son g.  

Tonight, as promised, my personal tribute to Davey Jones (1945 ~ 2012) 

My childhood crush (along with Bobby Sherman!).  I absolutely  loved the Monkees as a young girl, Davey Jones in particular.  Even more when I watched him with Marcia on the Brady Bunch in 1971.  Because we all had to be like Marcia!  

Tonight is a short, sweet and simple post in memory of Davey.. my first puppy love.  wink, wink!  

I must add that once I was older and realized that Davey was only five years younger than my dad... well, let's just say that my relationship with Davey was never the same!  LoL!.

Not that I was not sad when Whitney Houston died.. loosing Davey is different.  It is like having a piece of my childhood died as well.  I had Tiger Beat Magazine posters of him all over my walls throughout all the 70s.  He was on my walls longer (and Bobby Sherman) than Donny Osmond, Tony DeFranco, Shawn Cassidy and Leif Garret.  

Rest in peace Davey.

As a tribute to Davey, I have put a little something on my home page in his honor.  I will leave it up until his funeral.

Blessings to all!!

97 days to go...

PS... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Some images courtesy of google images.  Others are marked accordingly, and are property of Carla Barila Karam and Taking Back Life ~ Making It My Own, this blog.   All U.S Copyright laws apply.  ©

Day 207 ~ Heaven Gets A New Angel

At times life has a funny way of reminding you know that you aren't in charge.  You can plan all you want,  but if life wants to step in... it will.

Unbeknownst to my husband and I, life was happening while we were sleeping in the wee hours of  Saturday, the 31st of December.  When we had gone to bed the night before, it had been no different than any other night... my next day had already been planned as any other day.  New Year's eve was going to be perfect.  But as I said before... life has a funny way of stepping in when it needs to.  You see our family had been trying to get a hold of us for hours... yet both of our phones were off.  

Our sleep came to an abrupt end when our dogs woke us with their barking.  At first I thought there was a cat in our yard or something, but when Shelby, my little yorkie, started with her high pitch whaling... I knew something was up.

Dean returned confused.  A neighbor friend came by saying mom and dad called him.  They had been trying to get a hold of us for hours.  No sooner he said that, we were both checking our phones.  When I saw that not only mom had called, but our cousin did as well... I knew Grandma passed away.

We had less than a half hour, more or less a ten minute drive and we had to get dressed, brush our teeth, at least wash our faces and get out the door before the funeral home was to pick Grandma Betty up.

When Nana passed, Dean and I decided that Calley was old enough to not be shielded from death.  Now that I give it some thought, if both Nana and Grandma had not passed away in such a loving environment, in their homes, and instead a sterile hospital, we would have decided differently.  We decided not to push Calley and to allow her to say good bye however she wanted to.

Calley, kissed both her Great Grandmothers good bye ever so lovingly ... knowing that both were now home with Jesus and their beloved husbands and families.

Then it was my turn.  As I said my good byes to Grandma, all my memories of her rushed before my eyes.  I saw her life play before me.  

What a beautiful life.

Beatrice Richards Karam

August 31st, 1917  ~  December 31st, 2011

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways    ~ Psalm 91:11 

Blessings to all!!

158 days to go...

PS... Sons, I love and miss you.  To the moon and stars above and back.  You are my sunshines.

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied.  All accounts herein are written by Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life.  Some names may be changed to protect the innocent or protect me from the guilty.  (just kidding...wink, wink)

Picture credits... images are property of Carla Barila Karam and Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.  Copyright laws apply.

Day 185 ~ A Christmas Note To My Sons

Calley loves wearing
Nana's 'cowgirl' hat

This time of the year is such a magical time of the year.  People are kinder, more giving and thoughtful.  There's hustle and bustle, shopping and wrapping, the proverbial crossing of names on your shopping list, all as you get ready to travel home for the holidays.  Or you could be like me... one who is preparing their home for family to arrive.  However, not everyone is as blessed.

For those of you who have suffered a recent loss... we too have suffered one.  This is our first Christmas without our 'Nana' and feel a great loss as well.    Regardless, family always comes to mind and heart, this time of year.  Our prayers are with you all.

For me, the holidays make me miss my sons even more than any other time of the year.  Not only does this time of year bring to mind all the time we have spent apart, but the missed opportunities of growing closer as a family, as well as the love and respect felt being in one another's lives.  Not to mention the many Christmases spent away from one another.  My heart aches for my sons. 

I remember being around eighteen years old. Motherhood was the furthest thing from my mind.  Truth be told, it scared me half to death.  I just knew I wasn't ready, and that I needed to grow... I was aware that I was barely a young adult.

My Baby BUMP!
 (my heart & I have a big smile)

And came the day that not only was I more than ready, but I was going to be a mommy.  Whether I learned of my first, second, or even third baby was to bless my life... I was so happy.  I felt so wonderful.  I began to bond with each of my babies right away, confiding  in them, as well as including them in every decision in my life from then on.

I remember being twenty-four and pregnant with Addison,  and going for drives, just so I could talk with him (to my belly.)  Logan was no different, I would even drive around the corner of where we lived, and I'd just sit in my car for hours talking to both he and Addison (who by this time was three and a half years old and I, a mere twenty-eight.)  We would make BIG plans.  

As many mommies, I fell in love with my children at first kick!  if not sooner.

Time went by and life happened... decisions were made... some are stood by and some... well let's just say that they were paid for.  All in all, no matter what, my love for you, my children grows stronger every day.  As time goes by, the void in my heart may grow darker... but the faith I have will never allow me to give up hope that one day we will be together once again.

I love you to the moon and stars above!

In the meantime, I will use this time to grow stronger as a person, wiser as a mother, and understanding and forgiving of those who have brought harm our way.

I was given a gift from my dear friend Alysia, and it reads as follows...

Life is not about finding yourself... Life is about creating yourself   ~ author unknown

  

Blessings to all!!

180 days to go...

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied.  All accounts herein are written by Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life.  Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 91 ~ Paying It Forward

We may have just said good-bye to Nana, however this afternoon we celebrated her life.  There is something to be said about being with family at a time like this... especially the sharing of stories of times gone by.

I can not imagine being in the position of having lost a family member and not having anyone to grieve the loss or celebrate their life.  Must be horrible.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people at a time like this... as I am sure they are too, especially since their loss is far greater than mine being that I married into the family.  I think I feel the loss for my mother in law, Gene... meaning I feel her loss.

I may have not known Nana that long, but I know what she means to Gene and the rest of the family.  And knowing that makes me sad.  This is not to say that Nana didn't mean anything to me, because she did.

Uncle Jim, Gene and Nana

All of this speaks volumes about Nana.  Especially knowing the people she raised.  Uncle Jim and Gene are wonderful people, with kind hearts and faith to no ends - to say the least.  All the qualities that were given to them by Nana, have now been given to their own children, and to theirs as well.

Dean spoke very eloquently about Nana today, and said something that has stuck in my mind ever since... "Great parents make great children."  This not only says something about Nana, but it also says something about Uncle Jim and Gene, and the rest of our family.

Thank you Nana!  We will take your teachings with us and pay them forward for generations to come!

Blood makes you related.  Love makes you a family.  ~  Author Unknown

Family:  A link to the past and a bridge to our future.  ~  Author Unknown

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  ~Desmond Tutu 

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.  ~Anthony Brandt

Blessings to all! 

274 days /  39 weeks to go

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 90 ~ Saying Good Bye to Nana

Tonight was the first of a two part homage to Frances, better known to her loved ones as Nana.  For such a little lady, she has left big shoes to fill.

It has been an emotional night.  Tomorrow will be the the grave side service... which that in itself will be so final.

So many emotions, which only leads many of us to think of our own mortality.  And being such a nut myself, I have no idea what my family will do with me when it comes to my time.  Why, you ask... well... I do not want to be buried in a coffin... claustrophobic - just the thought of it drives me insane... I know ... you are probably saying, "you will be dead... what will you know?".. I'll know!  and I do not want to be cremated because they have to put you in a box to do so... I know ... you are probably saying, "you will be dead... what will you know?".. I'll know!  

When discussing my dilemma with the family tonight, my solution was to have Dean send me to a taxidermist!  We all laughed!!

Just joking of course.  Actually, I am hoping someone comes up with a new method by the time I go!!  ;)

Seriously now...

Nana, you were an amazing woman!  I know I have learned a lot from you, and I will pass it on to Calley.  We love you!!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.  2 Timothy 4:7-8

Blessings to all! 

275 days to go

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 86 ~ A Life Well Lived!

After spending most of this week looking, sorting, reminiscing, imagining, and more or less envisioning myself in what remained of Nana's life... hundreds upon hundreds of photographs... I have come to the conclusion that she led an amazing life.

She had fallen in love and married the love of her life at the age of eighteen, and later had two children.  Her husband was in the Army, made a career of it.  After twenty years he retired from Fort Bliss, and continued serving as Deputy Director of the Air Defense School for another thirty years.  To his credit, he would be the one to start and head up the training for the Green Berets.


In order to help support her family, shorty after arriving in El Paso she went to work for a bottling company after convincing the owner she knew how to keep books.  She later went on to become a credit manager of a furniture store and an accounting firm... all the while going to UTEP and becoming one of the first women CPAs in the state of Texas in 1966.  


She later became a credit analyst at the El Paso National Bank, and worked her way up to Assistant Vice President and Credit Manager... handling major accounts all the way.  Eventually she landed at a CPA firm, becoming a partner by 1976.

Frances was very respected in the business world, in a time where women were expected to stay at home.  She was honored by her banking colleagues who elected her the first woman director of the Texas Chapter of the Robert Morris Associates, an arm of the National Association of Bank Loan and Credit officers.  They had to change their bylaws allowing a woman into this prestigious organization.


She managed to do all of this while raising two amazing people.  Let's just say that the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree!


With her petite frame, she not only was quite the lady, but she had a big heart, a faithful spirit and a smile that warmed you heart.  She was just as much part of her grandchildren's life as she was her own children, and was starting on the next generation, her great-grandchildren.


We find comfort knowing that you will now be watching over us, side by side with Grand-dad.  

Here's to you Nana... you truly will be missed!  

It is not length of life, but depth of life.    ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 

Sure God created man before woman.  But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece.  ~Author Unknown

Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good.  Luckily, this is not difficult.  ~Charlotte Whitton

 Blessings to all! 

279 days to go

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 85 ~ Making a Plan

Having to deal with death just sucks the life right out of you!

My new quote, written by, yours truly.  I'm feeling it right down to my bones.  I guess that's what i get for "burning the candle at both ends"... as coined in the early seventeenth century and then written in part in Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem.

It seems as if every channel I turn to has death on it (the tenth anniversary of 9/11 is around the corner.)  

As a side note:  All I can say is that... when I go, I hope it's a peaceful death.  I most certainly would not want to live in a vegetable-like-state, or be a burden to anyone.

Other than things that will eventually be Calley's... in other words, when I buy something of use... say for example pots and pans or a stand mixer... it will be of quality, like Calphalon cookware or a Kitchenaid stand mixer - only the best!... why, well... I know that I will get good use of it, and eventually Calley will too.

courtesy of Bing images

As I was saying, other than things that will eventually be Calley's, I am not going to buy anything else!  At least this is my plan ...  (wink, wink)  I will put all papers in order, and write everything down in one file for anyone to make sense of our family's assets and liabilities... and keep it all with my will [that I will eventually get to writing.]  I wonder how long it will take me to do this little project?!  (haha ha)

I see what my in laws are going through with trying to put Nana's life to rest... and I do not wish that upon Calley or anyone else for that matter!  Plus, if you think about it... there's something weird about going through someone's life and belongings who is no longer with us... a little on the morbid side, wouldn't you say?

Death is nothing else but going home to God, 

the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.   ~   Mother Teresa

 Blessings to all! 

280 days to go

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.

Day 83 ~ Nana's Better Now

Our last Easter with Nana.
Nana, Gene (mom) and Calley.

The last couple of days have been a whirlwind of sorts.  It is mind blowing when you start putting together everything that needs to be taken care of when a family member passes away.

One of the things needed to be done on my list, which with all honesty, Dean and I had not really talked about was telling Calley.  You think that with all three of Dean's grandmothers being in ailing health, two of them living here in town, we would have touched the subject.  

The last time we had seen Nana was for our family Father's day outing in June... and since then, she's been in and out of the hospital.  Finally arrangements were once again being made for her return to her home... she was happy to know that once again she could be with her animals, especially Pixie, her dog.  Nana had decided a while back that she did not want to pass away in the hospital.

Nana had been back home just a few days by the time that Dean, Calley and I were able to visit.  However, as great as all that was, we were being told that her body was beginning to shut down.  With all that going on, she may have not said anything, but Nana acknowledged that we were  all there.  I am so happy that we were able to tell her we loved her, and say good bye. 

My wish on Saturday was to fill the house with joy and laughter so that mom's last memories of Nana's home, with Nana there would not be somber ones.

Throughout it all Calley knew Nana was not doing well and that we were there for mom (grandma).  We did ask her that there was no yelling, screaming or running around.  

There were a few times that mom and I were deep in conversation and I lost track of Calley... when she appeared she told us she had been in Nana 's room.  "Calley!", we both exclaimed!  Calley immediately replied, "I was just giving Nana kisses and hugs.."   Calley truly touched my heart.

When Sunday rolled around, once again we were going to head over to Nana's.   While on our way, mom called me... "Calley can't come. Nana is worse, and we don't think she's going to make it .."  As I hung up with mom and my heart sank.

Needless to say I had to bribe Calley with all sort of things after I finished telling her that she and daddy had to stay at grandma and grandpa's house while I went to help with Nana.

At the end of the day and after being so worried about how Calley would react... after we told  her that Nana has gone to be with Jesus... she said "I understand mommy... Nana's better now."   I left it alone and walked away scratching my head.

Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation.  For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.  ~Albert Einstein

As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well used brings happy death.  ~Leonardo da Vinci

Blessings to all!

282 days to go

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.