August 4, 2008
Dear Family and Friends:
Our wonderful Karlee has been gone for almost a year now. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long since our last hug. How could I have gone a year without saying “Good night Karlee, I love you”, and hearing her say faithfully, “I love you too Dad”?
For those of you who had the chance to know her, I don’t need to tell you how quietly special and sweet she was. She had so much love in her heart and so much to give. Karlee’s beautiful blue eyes were so full of light. It’s been hard for me to find my way without her. I have wandered though many dark times since that terrible Saturday morning when she was taken away without warning. Lightening struck before the storm appeared and I couldn’t protect her from dangers I could not see.
A year ago today I drove Karlee and Chelsey to camp along with the other teens from our church. When I returned five days later in the church van, Karlee was standing alone on a little hill. She had not seen me coming and I surprised her. She laughed, telling me how earlier in the week she had slipped on that same spot, rolling down the hill and covering herself in the Pennsylvania mud. It had been, she said, the best week of her life. She was fourteen. Within twenty-four hours she would be gone from our sight.
At her funeral we played the Chris Tomlin song, “Your Grace is Enough”. Grace will sustain us until that day when I approach Karlee on another hill, in another realm, and see her beautiful new eternal body. On that day, I will not surprise her. She will be waiting for us with her shy and beautiful smile. We will never again have to say goodbye. God haste that day when our faith shall be sight.
We have established a Church Camp and Activity Fund in her name. It will be used in the future to help other kids who need financial help with church-sponsored activities. Karlee’s fund will be administered through our church, the Marley Park Church of the Nazarene. Already, it is being used to send a special girl to camp this year. That will make Karlee smile.
I thank all of you for loving Karlee. Her birthday is November 15. She would have been sixteen. If you would like to help with this project please make the checks payable to:
Marley Park Church of the Nazarene
7741 Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard
Glen Burnie, Maryland 21060
Attention: “Karlee Marie Andrews Fund”
With Love Always
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1 comment:
Wow Brian! This is such a wonderful idea you have here. To send a child to camp is
one thing, but to do it as an honor and remembrance of your sweet and beautiful girl
Karlee is AWESOME. I know my friend that sometimes it seems that things will never
be right again now that she is gone. I wish I could say when, where and how things
will be better, but I can’t. But this… is a step in the right direction toward your being
able to heal. You need things like this to remind you NOT that she is gone, but that
she is ever present! Always there to help these other children who didn’t have the
opportunities that she had. Just the fact that Karlee’s camping experience was among
the happiest times of her life, that is a sign to you that she would want you to do this. She
will always be with you in your heart Brian, but this makes for GOOD memories which
is what you need to have. I know at times you act like things are ok and that you’re
coping, but I see the pain. Don’t worry; your grief is an act of love just as your healing
and being able to handle things in a much better way too will show that same love.
Showing the world your faith in Christ that you will someday see her again and thusly
CAN go on. I’m here for you buddy… you know that. Whether it be to talk, cry or
whatever you need at any given time. Just know that it WILL get better, but don’t
wonder when or how. Your peace of mind will come in its own time. Until then,
you use the time well by keeping Karlee’s name alive by doing so in such a positive manner! Helping others will keep her alive in many more hearts than your own.
Thank the good Lord! You’re going to see her again. But it has to be in the Lord’s
own time, we can never rush it because He has His own purposes! Brian! I
think this is just ONE of those purposes! AMEN to “Karlee Kamp”! AMEN to
keeping her memory alive! Your friend, who feels more like a brother… Dave
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