They say it's your birthday..........

It just dawned on me that we both have birthdays on the 13th of the month. I used to think it was so spooky funny when my birthday landed on a Friday the 13th. Can't have bad luck on your birthday, right?

Well, it's another birthday in Heaven for you, Dear Friend. I imagine you and Kassidy and your Grandmother having one heck of a celebration together up there today. Know that your Mom and Dad, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and Kensi and Grace are thinking about you with love and missing you like crazy. One day we will all celebrate together again!

For more Kari birthday love, check out previous birthday posts, photos and comments:

Thoughts of Kari on her Birthday - August 13, 2009

Birthday Thoughts - August 13, 2008


And for some laughter-and-tears memories, check out the Come on....Share a Memory page.

Thoughts of Kari on her birthday

Are there birthdays in Heaven?
Does the angel blow his horn?
Announcing to everybody
That this is the day you were born?

Can the stars be your balloons
And angel food your cake?
Presents wrapped in moonbeams
All the angels helped to make.

Birthdays meant so much to you
They were always a big deal
Birthday presents, lots of friends
And perhaps a special meal.

So I’ll whisper a little prayer today
Asking everyone up above
To sing you a Happy Birthday song
And give you all our love.

~ Author Unknown ~

The next to last picture is how I personally see Kari in my mind. The last picture is how I'm going to think of her today. Happy Birthday, my friend.

Click here to read last year's birthday post.

****I put up the Birthday Song because at this point, I think Kari would want us to miss her and laugh...wipe the tears....and laugh out loud. Lord knows she gave us plenty of reasons to. ;) Love you all!!

Birthday Thoughts.....

Kari Lynn Dulin was born August 13, 1974

Today is Kari's birthday. She would have been 34 years old.

Let's see.....what might her birthday have been like.....

• Her family would have shared it with her....parents, daughters, perhaps extended family and friends.


• Kari's teacher friends at school would have surprised her with a little celebration.


• Jill would have called and sent a card. She wouldn't forget her best bud's birthday.


• Calls from other friends...."Happy Birthday, Old Woman." Lots of getting older jokes. Not funny. I know. ;)


• A visit to her grandparents' house. Oh, how she loved them. She was the first grandchild, you know. I'm sure that made her pretty special in their eyes....and she knew it. LOL





• I have been told that her favorite restaurant was the Samurai Steakhouse. Dinner there, for sure....Polaroid piture of the birthday girl and her family taken by the owner/master chef. Kensi and Grace would have huge grins as the picture was snapped. The Dulins would cherish every minute with their daughter and granddaughters.


• Unwrapping gifts. Paper flying everywhere. Kari loved surprises. Kari loved presents!


• Someone had to get her a candle for her birthday. Kari loved candles. Her favorite was Bird of Paradise....Circle E Candles. (I did a little homework.)


• Kensi and Grace can't wait for their Mom to see what they bought her. Earrings. Cool earrings. Kari loved cool jewelry.


• Candles. Cake. Soooo much laughter. So much love.



• SO MUCH LOVE. SO MUCH LIFE.

There is no such birthday celebration with Kari today.

Two little girls no longer have their Mommy. Worse. They are being fed lies about their Mommy.

The Dulins no longer have their daughter. The man they once loved like a son saw to that.
The man who took her life is still free....but that will change. That WILL change. JUSTICE FOR KARI!

Hear me today, Matt Baker. (I know you come to this blog. I see you.) You may have taken Kari from this life, but you can't take her memory from us.

WE CELEBRATE WHAT KARI MEANT TO US!! HER SPIRT. HER PASSION. HER LOVE FOR HER GIRLS. HER LOVE FOR HER FAMILY....HER FRIENDS!!

HER LAUGHTER.
HER PASSION.

KARI LIVES BECAUSE SHE WAS LOVED!! KARI LIVES BECAUSE SHE IS STILL LOVED.




A friend of Kari's who works at Spring Valley Elementary wrote the following poem after Kari's death. What better day to share friendship than one's birthday.

Paths

I look for you each day.
But you are not there.
Just a memory of what once was.
I listen to hear your voice.
But now there is silence.
I wish for your funny gestures to make my day.
But now, all are memories in my mind.
Now, I sit here trying to get through the day.
Some days are better than others.
I know you always said,
“To believe in yourself.”
Follow your heart and your dreams.
Go with your gut!
We were raised to be strong women.
But how strong must one be.
Being strong is so hard sometimes.
Each day seems to get tougher and tougher.
I know that God only gives us what we can handle.
But sometimes I question how much one can take.
I look to the sky each day and
Pray to God to show me the way.
I thank God for blessing me to have a friend like you.
A friend, who shared her laughter, her wisdom
And her understanding of life.
We certainly shared a lot in the time we had.
I treasure each and every moment we shared.
I will always hold you dear to my heart.
I will never forget you.
Your spirit will live within each
One of us who knew you.
And one day our paths will cross again.
Later."