FINAL FAREWELL TO THE “OLD” KAREN’S
During the great flood of 1978 a man drowned because he refused assistance of two rescue boats and a lifeguard helicopter. He had figured a strong faith in God would save him. Upon arrival at the pearly gates he was incensed and made inquiry of St. Peter why God had not saved him. Saint Peter said, “We sent you two boats and a helicopter. What more did you want?” Sometimes opportunity is not recognized for what it is.
Three weeks ago I was sent a rowboat. At a time when increasing costs, declining sales, the ravages of little sleep and creeping age and the progression of Mom’s dementia have all intersected. A rowboat showed up which will enable me to save the homestead and provide for my family even in the dark days ahead. Although reason is in conflict with emotion I made the decision to close the old Karen’s Kitchen.
The decision was not an easy one because of what Karen’s Kitchen had become. It was not a building but a repository of the essence of so many great and good people who have passed through its doors. Even today that which had made America great and lives and thrives here; true friendship honor, charity, brotherly love, faith in the future, love of community, independence, family commitment and so many more things that exceed the space available. Those things which have produced the Greatest Generation and the Greatest Country in the world are not dead as the agenda of the news media portends, but alive and rampant; where soldiers are held in high esteem, where government is a facilitator to progress, not an obstacle, where ones word means more than all the words that the Clarence Darrow’s of the world can write, where we take care of the poor, the indigent, the elderly, and where those who try are worthy of our assistance. I am not eloquent enough nor have the commanding vocabulary to capture that of which I write but the feeling and the emotions of which I alluded are known to each of you.
That is what tugs at my heart as I close. I hope the hands of time do not dry my tears for in them I will always remember the difference each of you have made in my life and in all the lives of those you have touched. Through your essence I have become a better man than I otherwise could have been. Thank-You!
Of each of you I could tell the indelible mark you have left behind. Each of you is woven into the fabric of this place, which has always provided the warmth and protection from the cold cruel world outside. The world is a much better place because of you.
I reported for duty at my new job on April 14.
Even though the old Karen’s Kitchen has closed, I have leased the building to a new entrepreneur, Chris Wilson, and the NEW Karen’s Kitchen has emerged in the same location…Carry on!
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