Karen gave me the CD Higher Ground by Barbara Streisand for Christmas 1997. I requested two of the songs on it for the closing of Karen’s funeral service August 20, 1998.

The first song was written by a mother for her child. It is titled, "If I Could". I feel Karen would say the words in this song to her daughter Ashley, if she could.

The second song is Karen's message for all of us: I Believe/You’ll Never Walk Alone.

x

If I Could

If I could
I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes,
give you courage in a world of compromise.
Yes I would.

If I could,
I would teach you all the things I've never learned
and I'd help you cross the bridges that I've burned.
Yes I would.

If I could,
I would try to shield your innocence from time
but the part of life I gave you isn't mine.
I've watched you grow, so I could let you go.

If I could,
I would help you make it through the hungry years
but I know that I can never cry your tears,
but I would, if I could.

If I lived in a time and place where you don't want to be,
you don't have to walk along this road with me.
My yesterday won't have to be your way.

If I knew how
I'd try to change the world I brought you to
and there isn't very much that I can do,
but I would, if I could.

If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
but that part of life I gave you isn't mine.
I watched you grow so I could let you go.

If, if I could
I would help you make it through those hungry years
but I know that I can never cry your tears,
but I would if I could.

Yes I would, yes I would, if I could .

I Believe/You'll Never Walk Alone

I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows.
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows.
I believe for every one who goes astray someone will come to show the way.
I believe, I believe.

I believe above the storm a smallest prayer will still be heard,
and I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word.
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the sky
then I know why I believe.

When you walk through a storm
hold your head up high
and don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of the storm is a golden sky
and the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
walk on through the rain
though your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on
with hope in your heart
and you'll never walk alone.

You'll never walk alone.
You'll never walk alone.

I believe , I believe, I believe

She's not heavy - she's my sister
Bobby carrying Karen

Bonnie and Karen

Karen took this "self-portrait" of us