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    • Story Time with Karen
  • Picture This Photo Books
  • Story Time with Karen

Picture This Photo Books tells your story. Story Time with Karen reminds you of your story...

I’ll jog your memory of experiences with your Mom,  "dates" and chocolate ice cream with your Dad,  as well as times spent with your Grandma.  


What about where and when you met your first love? The years with your BFF, who has always made you laugh, along with the love and support you share with one another.   


There are 8 million stories in the Naked City. How many are mine? The same as yours...  


So get comfortable - we're going on an adventure back in time, and have I got a story for you!!  

My Mom

My mom was happy when we were happy, 

whether shopping, "surprising" us by singing 

Happy Birthday with a birthday cake 

filled with lit candles, 

or dancing with my friends at my teenage parties...

And she even liked my music! To this day, I miss her...

My Dad

My dad loved his girls and truly enjoyed spending time with us. 

He was our mentor and teacher, 

and extremely proud of who we were. 

Our daddy/daughter dates taught us a great deal, especially how much he loved chocolate ice cream... It's interesting to see that he left a big part 

of himself in each one of his daughters 

and grandchildren. 

And you know what? We love that!

My Grandma

My Grandma loved her family, and when her oldest daughter (she had three) became a widow at a young age, she moved in and took care of her grandchildren while my aunt worked. 

She did all the cooking. I was young when she passed and don't remember much, but I do remember 

she loved us, and her pirogen was the best!

My Sister

Growing up I shared a room with my sister. Sometimes that’s a good thing, and sometimes 

not so much! 

You may laugh when your sibling trips (I’m guilty), you may sneak a peek at your sibling kissing her boyfriend (she’s definitely guilty!), 

but the loving moments are greater than those, 

and remain priceless. 

The memories you share and that special intimacy of growing up together create a bond like no other. The love of a sibling has no rival. 

It makes you laugh and cry all at the same time…

Extended Family

One day I received a call that my uncle had passed away and we all flew down to Florida, individually, to be with our aunt and, of course, to say our goodbyes to our uncle. All the first cousins were there with no husbands/wives or children. Just us. We sat and talked for days, then slowly, one-by-one, we left to go home. We all felt that history we share and planned on getting together back home. Well, as it happens, we all went back to our busy lives. We know what happens when we make plans…

Friendship

   “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. 

But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.” 

― Muhammad Ali   

If I didn’t know it then, I sure know it now…

Legacies

Legacies. The dictionary describes a legacy as anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.  This is not for us, as we all live them, but for the generations to follow. They missed out on knowing him, I hope they don’t miss out on the legacies he left us.   

So here’s where legacies begin. They begin with words of wisdom, and in our case, followed by 

“You know what? I love you…”

Unsung Heroes

Not all heroes wear capes…

We all have at least one unsung hero in our lives, and because of them, 

we are where we’re supposed to be.  

They say that everyone 

is brought into our lives for a reason, 

and if we don’t see it at the time, we will later on. 

I know all the reasons now, and I’m forever grateful.   

Winter Holidays

The elegance of a fresh snowfall, 

Christmas lights reflecting in the pools of wet snow, with its music filling the air, 

people rushing around carrying bags filled with gifts for their families and loved ones.  

Hot chocolate with marshmallows, 

watching movies with the family, 

and eating leftovers…  

It’s a wonderful time of year, 

where we’re allowed to be sentimental.  

What conjures up your heartfelt memories?

Weddings

I remember my wedding day as if it were yesterday. 

I remember dancing the daddy/daughter dance, with tears and a smile all at the same time.

I remember that I would now have a husband 

to walk beside me, and a new last name.

Weddings are magical. 

They are what dreams are made of.  

And love? 

“For it was not into my ear you whispered, 

but into my heart. 

It was not my lips you kissed, 

but my soul…

Being A Parent

  Being a parent. 

The only thing that comes with that little package 

is the unconditional love you feel instantly from 

the second you set eyes on them.
When they’re doing well, we’re doing well. 

When your child suffers, you feel their pain.
But then when they’re happy, or proud, 

we puff up with pride and say 

"That's my kid!".

My First Love

I met my very first love when I was just 14 years old while vacationing with a close friend and her family. He was the most romantic person I had ever known as he would frequently serenade me 

with Johnny Mathis love songs. 

One night, several years later, while leaving 

a Johnny Mathis concert – coincidentally with that same friend – she poked me! 

I looked up and there he was. 

Neither his date nor mine kept those 

violins from playing as we just stood there, 

looking at each other…

My First Love, Part Deux

Your first love is one you never forget. 

The curiosity of your feelings, the wonder at his.  

Falling in love with the romance of it all, 

regardless of your age. 

True love stories never have endings, 

so to this day, I wonder…

Nostalgia

Aromas, music, food. One whiff, a few notes of an old song, and Grandma’s meatballs.  

Nostalgia. 

Our sense of smell, hearing, and/or taste will take us right back there – wherever “there” is.  

Although we don’t want to live back in the past, 

it’s a great place to visit. 

Feeling as though we’re sitting in Grandma’s kitchen again, or hearing that one love song? Priceless!  

It’s all this that played a part in who we are today. So close your eyes, breathe it in, and smile…

Hugs

There’s nothing like a hug – 

it’s like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day.  

I’m all caught up now, having finally hugged each 

of my kids and grandchildren – 

although I admit I can’t wait for more…  

What about you? 

Have you received your long overdue hugs?

Unconditional Love

Love is different for each relationship in your life. There’s the love of your parents, siblings, spouse, children, and even your friends. 

Each one is deep, but unique. 

The same holds true for your pets. 

You love your dog without reservation, 

from your toes. 

And they love you back.   Ain’t love grand?

That's What Dads Do

“That’s what dads do”, said a man from Massachusetts when he recently went to Ukraine 

to get his daughter and grandchild.  

My dad always told me if I was uncomfortable 

or in trouble of any kind, 

I should walk away, get into a cab, and go home.  

I was on a date and, although I wasn’t really frightened, I was somewhat nervous and extremely uncomfortable. 

I was younger than the others and they were a little too avant-garde for me. 

First a movie that was beyond my age and naiveté, then risqué dinner conversation – what’s next?  

So what do you think I did then?

The Boys

My dad had an amazing group of friends. 

These guys were close from school until 

they each passed away from old age.  

They were known as 'The Boys'…  

Although it is said men don’t really talk to each other, these guys did. 

They shared a mutual love and respect in their relationship all those years.   

As the story goes, one of them loved me from the day I was born and although I loved them all, 

there was a special bond between he and I 

until he passed.  

I miss them all and treasure those memories…

A Very Special Fathers Day in June, 2022

We hadn’t celebrated together as a family 

since Christmas, 2019. And now we did. 

We spent Father’s Day weekend at my son/daughter-in-law’s house in the country 

where my daughter and daughter-in-law 

cooked delicious meals, and my son barbeque’d. Since they’re all great cooks, it goes without saying, we ate very well. 

It was a happy and relaxed atmosphere, 

with each one of us just enjoying each other. 

As matriarch of the family, 

I sat back several times to watch the banter, 

the conversations, and the laughter, 

and I smiled...

A Very Special Teacher

I was the Parents Association President – an advocate for the kids, 

and she was a teacher to both of my children, 

as well as the union rep. 

We sat on opposite sides of the table 

but the respect was there 

as we worked together to bring fair resolutions 

to situations brought to our attention.  

She was my friend, but first and foremost, 

she was a nurturer, she was an educator, 

and she had heart.

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