Uncle Greg talked about how Karen had taught him to tie his shoes when he was little. He had looked forward to going to school at six years old because he would finally be a big boy now. He was growing up. But, he was so afraid that he would get to school and his shoes would come untied and he would not be able to tie them back. Karen told him not to worry that she would be there for him. If his shoes became untied, he could come and get her and she would tie them for him. So the big day came...the first day of school...and he was finally in his very own classroom. All of the school desks were there, the school clock was on the wall, the school teacher was in front of the room...he had arrived...he was now a big boy. The day progressed and then it was lunch time, and Greg looked down and his shoe was untied. Oh No! So, as Karen said, he went looking for her and she retied his shoes. Karen was like that...always there when you needed her.
Uncle Greg told another story about how Karen was getting all dolled up to go out on a date. She had put on a pretty dress, nice perfume, flawless makeup, and had her hair pulled up in a French twist. As she came down stairs, her mother called out, "Karen, change Lyle's diaper before you go." In the Cope household, you did not argue with mom...ever. So, Karen went to change Lyle. As she walks into the living room holding the diaper out in front of her, Greg comes in the room. Now for some reason, Greg thought that Karen was going to throw the diaper at him so he thought he would beat her to the punch. He grabbed the diaper quickly out of her hands and flung it over her head. Just as he did, all of the runny poop fell on her and her beautiful hairdo. Greg thought that Karen would kill him, but she remained calm. Karen was like that...always calm during a storm.
Liza told a cute Karen story about her, Karen and Liza's husband, Bob, going on a road trip in the dead of summer. It was so hot that sweat was running down their backs. They stopped at a gas station, and Karen said, "It is sure hot. I wish this car had air conditioning." Lisa looked at her in surprise and said, "It does have air conditioning." To which Karen replied, "Then why aren't we using it." Lisa answered, "Because Bob thinks we get better gas mileage without the air on." Karen's eyes got big and she answered back, "Well, I'll pay for the f#*king gas. Turn on the damn air conditioner!" Karen didn't swear very often, but, well, sometimes it was needed to make the point!
Steve, Liam, Emmett and I had an inspiring and fun time, even if it was a four and half hour drive one way from New Jersey to central Pennsylvania. Family is the most important joy in our lives, and the stories, like these, can be passed down from generation to generation. As David Ogden Stiers once said, "Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten."
