♥️

Grateful to have reconnected and for the long talks. 

I miss sending her random texts that simply said "You are loved" and always getting a response. 

I have struggled with what to say about Karma.

She was such a beautiful soul and a wonderful person from high school. She was a friend and an amazing person to spend time with in the 1980’s Texas high school madness.

My 1986 HOCO date. Partner in endless mischief for a magical summer when we were allowed to hang with “the cool kids” who were seniors while we were only sophomores. Maybe that was because I had a perfect fake ID and could buy beer or maybe we were infectiously fun. Honestly, of the two of us, Karma was the only one who was infectiously fun and I was, gratefully, just tagging along as the driver.

I can close my eyes and picture us rolling around Dallas, screaming out the words to songs from U2, The Cure, Guns n’ Roses, and so many other bands. Our time together was part of the enchantment of high school, bringing disparate kids together in our amazing GenX teenage experience.

Whenever I went to pick up Karma on a weekend, I spent time talking with her mom, Ms. Hembry. Regardless of the pleasant conversation we had, at the end, Ms. Hembry always looked me in the eye and said, “You will have her home by midnight.”

It was NOT a request, and I was terrified of failing Ms. Hembry.

There were nights I would drag Karma out of a party saying, “We have to leave now, or your mom is going to murder me!” Fortunately, that didn’t occur and we enjoyed one weekend after another reveling in the amazing 80’s in which we were so fortunate enough to grow up.

We were the only kids from North Oak Cliff in our class and had our own bond because of carpooling with each other while living “on the other side of the tracks”. Of course, that’s a simple way of thinking about our place in our high school experience because we were blessed beyond measure with amazing friendships and classmates who remained close to us years after graduating.

Karma was a extraordinary and precious light in our world. I will miss her, but I am eternally grateful to have had her in my life for a special and wonderful period of time.

Lisa, I know you know that grief is a process that you learn to live with. Take care of yourself and lean on your friends when you need a shoulder or an ear.  May the peace of God be with you. Your Friend,

Beth

Peace and power to you as you mourn Karma's death AND celebrate her life.

- michael w