Karen believed deeply in the power of prayer and the healing that comes through creative expression. She inspired me with her positive outlook, refusal to speak ill of others and the pursuit of her truth through poetry and painting. Closer to my temperament and capabilities was working with her at the Oakland Women's Center International. She gave workshops that mixed practical advise with deep listening and soothing examples of the hope, wisdom and transformation that adversity can bring. She inspired me and the wonderful women who attended, many directly from the street and others from low income housing. Her ability to recall the specifics of what they had said the month before was remarkable as was the way she weaved their contributions together to create a fabric of trust and comraderie. I will miss her friendship and cherish her legacy. So will many Oakland women.

My dearest Beloved,
How can it be that you are gone?
Ours was all too short a time. Your beauty and dazzling presence made for an immediate attraction. Your kindness, creativity and open heartedness towards people cemented the bond. You so clearly cherished life. It showed in your poetry and painting, in your love for your sons, family and many friends. It was reflected back to you in the respect you received from others.

Throughout all our time together you drew on your deep spiritual strength to infuse every precious day we had with love and hope, teaching me by example the lessons I will need now that you are gone. I am humbled by the courage I witnessed in you, the risks you were willing to take to be together just a little while longer. I am so grateful that I was able to help you through this cancer challenge, to give you back in small measure what you have so generously given to me

Your clear vision for my business start up lit the rough days in our life with a sense of adventure and renewed determination. It gave me a chance to see you in action; how you could hold people accountable while still being gracious and firm, with no lingering upsets. Instead you went straight onto the next thing. No wonder you’d been such a successful professional.

My dearest beloved Karen, thank you. I never dreamed of such a love. I will live the rest of my life so as to honor it and the precious gift you gave us all by your luminous presence on earth.

amir