Happy Birthday, Karen!!!!!
Today is my the birthday of my beautiful, wonderful friend, Karen! Karen and I have been friends for a LONG time, since we began teaching together 12 years ago. I believe that our friendship is truly a God thing. Our meeting and histories are just too ironic to be coincidental.
I actually met K my second year of teaching…but before I get into that, I need to provide a little bit of background.
My first year teaching was actually spent in a teeny, tiny little town in rural Iowa where I was “shared” by two different school districts. I was very young, very idealistic, and I had a very bad year! Really, it was an uphill battle from day one. My superintendent was fired for sexual harassment, but was allowed to stay on because his contract allowed for it! My principal was a power hungry, unhappy man who barked at most of his employees, especially me because I was too scared to stand up for myself, and to top it all off, I had zero friends. None. I just did not fit into the rural environment there. I was so, SO lonely. I could not wait to leave. My parents came and literally packed me up while I was in school on the final day, and the next morning, we left town at 7:00 a.m. I have never been back.
Fast forward several months. I decided to give teaching one more try and had taken a job here in the Chicago suburbs. Music was being reinstated in my district after some lean years, so there were LOTS of brand new music teachers. The existing staff was so excited that they threw get togethers for us so that we could get to know eachother and them. It was fun, and we, as the new staff felt very valued. I was SO excited to meet people with whom I had something in common and to make some friends. I was MISS Friendly – introducing myself to anyone with a pulse and striking up a conversation.
It was at one of these events that I met Miss Karen, and we began to chat. If you asked her point blank, she might deny it, but I think she found my enthusiasm a little overwhelming! We talked about our respective universities, and realized that we’d both graduated from Christian schools, and then I asked her where she grew up. She told me Iowa, and I remarked that I had as well and proceeded to ask what town. The ensuing conversation went a little bit like this.
Karen “Oh, it’s really small – I’m sure you’ve never heard of it”
BB “Well try me”
K “Seriously…no one outside of the area has ever heard of it. It’s near (insert name of large city).”
BB “Wow, really! I used to live near (insert name of large city) ! Just tell me the name of the town.” Why are you being so weird about this?
K For the love! This girl is really pushy! Well it’s north of (said city) and it’s really tiny. I’m telling you you don’t know it.
BB What is the deal? Why doesn’t this girl just spit it out all ready?! Wow, that is amazing! My town was north of there too.. about ( ) miles!
K Oh all right all ready, give up. Well, you’ve never heard of this. It’s called (says name of town).
BB Shocked and incredulous silence. Chills.
K “See, I told you you’d never heard of it.”
BB “Is this a joke? Who told you to say that? Who put you up to this?’
K “Huh?”
So to make a long story – well – even longer, I had taught in the same tiny community where she grew up! Of course she was no longer living there when I was, but we knew some of the same people and both understood the dysfunctionality of the place, and had an awfully lot to talk about…and it was no coincidence!
So that is how God sent me Karen. We’ve been fast friends ever since, with all of the ups and downs and in betweens that that entails.
Karen has been my colleague, roommate, grad school buddy, and confidant. She’s served as medical advisor, workout partner, negotiator, and emergency room chauffer. Karen has offered fashion advice, boy advice, and work advice. I love her because she tells it like it is and lives it like it is. She is one of the most generous people I know, and one of the funniest as well. She the friend with whom I always get in trouble because no matter what the situation, we always have more fun than the situation calls for! Karen makes me a better, funnier, smarter person.
So here’s to you, Miss Karen! I love you and am so grateful that you were born on this day those few years ago and that God brought you into mine! Happy Happy Birthday!
