How we used to talk about their growing up!
Emily is the entrepreneur and thinking how to improve the company she’s in while falling in love with Denver 
Jason is the ‘rabbi musician’ who has powerful dreams of success in the field of psychology. 
I feel that I channel you whenever I speak with them. 
love and miss you every day 
nadya

Hi Mom,
I hope that you are already enjoying your 80th birthday. How nice to be a free spirit and to be able to dance until your heart is content.

I miss you every day and love you so much!

Your son,
Jeff

Always remember this day with you and over the years sooo much more tenderly. Your spirit infuses all that I do, and you remind me that there are so many times when I am not as mindful or a good listener. that takes the pause and the breath.
I am still learning from you.
Nadya

How I miss getting ready for a party with you, dear 'sister' as you would call me.
We shared jewelry, especially native American style, and now I wear your necklace and watch. Each day I 'wear' a part of you, and feel you with me especially when I write in my journal or meditate. In fact, I am known for the fact that I encourage destressing with dance or music or mindfulness..
Love you always, Nadya

Missing our talks and missing you. You are always in my heart. I often think WWKD and let all you taught and mentored guide me. Keep watching and keep dancing. 

Hi Mom,
I have been thinking of you a lot lately. I do not think that it is just missing you so much as that is a constant. I guess it is partly just watching the kids progress in their lives, and how much you have impacted the way that they navigate life as are now young adults. 

Today is a tough day as you know and I am a bit emotional as I write this. Dale and I were talking about you yesterday and we are both still so in awe of the positive impact that you had on so many people. You were and still are so loved by so many and you are truly missed.

I will see you in my dreams when you visit me. :)
All my love always,
Jeff

I received the notice in an email , 2 years has moved rapidly. It was nice to see the pictures again and think of Karen. It is sad that her family is not able ot enjoy her everyday as they use to.

Dearest Sister, you never left my heart. Miss you dearly.

Thinking of you today and always. We love and miss you so much. Love Heather, Chris and Ella

Oh, my dear friend, how I miss you. I do have some wonderful friends, and Karen was in the “one of a kind” status. So many of you speak truly of her giving heart; I couldn’t agree more. A little story: We met at a gathering of good friends on a Jai Alai weekend in Connecticut. So, we were sitting across from each other at a round table. There was paper and pencils on the table, and we were both doodling and laughing at the table. All of a sudden, Karen (or I) looked over at the others doodles and we were making the same doodles! But, not just everyday things; we did things much more unusual. We started laughing and began talking and never stopped all the years.
As we got to know each other, we found we had much in common...especially our interest in psychic and spiritual things. We shared our private experiences and were drawn to each other’s depth of spirit. I never met someone so humble and brilliant; not that I would ever compare myself, and I was proud to be loved by her. 
When my husband and I had to make a decision to arrange to put my mother into a nursing home, Karen made it possible for her to get into Gurwin. Such a difficult time and heart breaking for me. Karen gave me such loving support and mom fell in love with her. Every day she would visit mom; bring her Hershey bars and hugs. I was there every week, but Karen was there every day. What friend gives so much? Karen, that’s who. We were forever friends; sisters of the heart. She taught me so much. I’ll never forget her

So it is June and it was just getting to be nighttime. Mom is living with us for a while now. She rarely goes into the basement, so I run down there to get something unaware that she is there. We bump heads in the dark and are literally hysterical for 20 minutes. It was one of the most pure laughs that we have had in years. Great memory.

I miss you so much but it is getting a bit more comforting as I know that you are surrounding us all with all of your energy.  Xoxo, K.N.  Love you.

Let me share life with me as i lay...

I will miss her as my horror movie buddy.  We loved to hunker down in our basement “theatre” in the dark challenging the movie picked to surprise and scare us.  

We were invited to the wedding of our boss's daughter from Hillside Manor.  We left , we thought, in plenty of time not to miss the ceremony.  We were giggling and laughing so much we completely missed the turn and you guessed it.  We missed the ceremony entirely.  Everyone was getting ready to sit down and dine.  And there we were, walking in!  We were so embarrassed!  Being with Karen was, yes an exciting adventure.  Never a dull moment.

OK, so many of you already know that my mother was Shirley Maclaine, before Shirley Maclaine became Shirley Maclaine. 

One year I caught the flu, and remember waking up to my mother sitting on the side of my bed, putting crystals on my chest and forehead. Look at me now. I have mom's rose quartz sitting on my desk, because I always feel better when her energy is near me.

I knew Karen from NYSTRA. She was the person that called saying I had won a  NYSTRA award,  I was shocked.  Karen even told me what dress I should wear, so I was really dressed up. Karen was a wonderful women and will be in our hearts forever. 

Karen and I shared a passion for dance.  I was mostly a spectator and she as both performer and spectator.  She introduced me to the Ballet Hispanico which became one of my favorite dance companies.  I have since introduced most of my friends to their performances.
I recall our trip to New Orleans Jazz Fest where we learned to dance Zydecho and Cajun.  So much fun and so much good music!
Thank you Karen for all the good times and the happy memories.  You are gone but will never be forgotten 

Ok, so it is very strange writing these thoughts, on this day. It is because at 5:32 a.m. on this day in 1963, you brought me into this world. So at age 20, you embarked on this new adventure called parenthood. I did not realize at the time how blessed I was when you saddled me with a brother 2 years later. 

But throughout our childhood, you made sure that regardless of where we stood financially, Jeff and I never felt it. You had a gift for us every night of Hanukkah, and on the 9th day, the Christmas tree went up. You incorporated culture into our lives, from learning how to set a formal table, to Broadway plays, and museums.

But it was music that I remember the most. Any kind of music, but of course Latin music stole your heart. If Tito Puente was playing, then you were on the dance-floor. Exposing me to classical music enabled me to learn piano. Although buying a drum for Jeff at age 7 might not have been the best idea, but look at him now on the bongos.

I am sorry I did not do better in school, and created so many problems as a child. Who would have thought that I would wind up working in higher education. Cannot imagine where I got my desire to serve others *wink wink*. Having you and Nadya at my Bachelor's commencement was the only reason I chose to walk. But then again, you have always been first to buy a ticket to any event, school play, or otherwise. And not only for us, for your nieces and great-nieces.

I remember coming to the nursing home when you were at work. From Coronet, to Crown, to Hillside Manor, and ultimately to Gurwin. I would watch how you interact with the residents, your staff and visitors. You made everyone feel as though they were the only person in the world when you spoke to them. You were a light to all, and when I think of the sheer number of residents that crossed over with love in their heart, partly due to you, I am enamored. 

I am not sure how I could have possibly navigated 2 years in the hospital after my accident. Despite being in another state, just hearing your voice would take my pain away. You guided me through my darkest of days, and celebrated the lightest of them. Today my heart feels a bit heavy with your loss, but I want you to know just how much love and support has come my way from family and friends (mostly yours btw).

I love you so very much my beautiful mother, and I will celebrate your life every day. I carry in me, the best parts of you, and through Dale, Jeff, the family, and every soul that you've touched, you will live on forever.