|
Post by Rick Henry on Mar 1, 2006 11:50:49 GMT -5
March 2, 2006 is the anniversary of what would have been Karen's 56th birthday.
Please post your thoughts here.
|
|
Dave
Ultra Emissary
"sleeping in the arms of the cosmos..."
Posts: 1,515
|
Post by Dave on Mar 1, 2006 19:14:59 GMT -5
The big 56...you know, once you get past 40 or so the age difference sort of goes away, and isn't as big an issue as it is when one is 15 and the other 20. But you do have a certain number of years where one has their AARP card, and the other isn't old enough...I had a year and a half of being able to tease my wife about that. We like to think that Karen would've been able to navigate the many hazards of life, and have had an idyllic life at this point. The truth is that life is a fragile, fleeting thing, and isn't guaranteed to anyone. Look in your local news, or the obits, and you'll see memorials to lives ended way too soon. It is an axiom that we are put here on this Earth to accomplish a mission, and we won't leave before we've completed it. Sometimes, with infants (two friends of mine have lost infants), we think "What was the point?", but we just cannot see beyond our own veils of tears. I have a theory that when we die, we often must walk through the rain on our way to reunification. The rain cleanses us, washes away what we were. For some people there is nothing, for some it's a hurricane rainstorm. But it's the rain of tears, shed for us by our loved ones. Karen would have most certainly had to endure a torrential downpour, one which has never stopped, but merely become scattered showers. I write this on the eve of her 56th birthday, for she has only left our vision, but not our hearts. One by one, we will all join her someday, when our missions here have been accomplished. Happy Birthday, and save some cake and ice cream for us.
|
|
|
Post by BethMosior on Mar 1, 2006 22:20:07 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 2, 2006 9:37:00 GMT -5
I think of Karen Carpenter as a friend. A friend who, in so many ways, brought/brings an abundance of happiness into my life, on a regular basis. I have to agree with Dave in that Karen will always be a part of our hearts, if not in our vision just now. Though Karen lived a short life, relatively speaking, she led a powerfully full life. She accomplished more in her short life through her determination and tenacity than many people accomplish in a very long lifetime. At the same time, we know that she was a fiercely loyal friend and a "team player" when it came to family. We know that she was loving, kind, sweet natured, driven, intelligent, soft, troubled, confused perhaps, silly at times (good for you, KAC), and she was incredibly talented. Karen sang from her heart and soul, which in this writers opinion is one reason it was so flawlessly beautiful, consistently time and time and time again. She never took voice lessons. She never took drum lessons, yet, she could sing with the voice that God gave only her, and she used that voice to inspire and uplift many, many lives in her short number of years. Karen CONTINUES to touch lives to this very day - we have people on this website who are very young, yet they have discovered the beauty of Karen's lovely voice and she makes a whole new set of "friends" over and over again. And, what a fantastic drummer she was. Musical talent permeated Karen's very being....she was one of a kind, and her talent was awesome! I wish you a most Happy Birthday, dear Karen. Thank you for touching our lives, and the lives of so incredibly many individuals. For continuing to touch the lives of so many. For continuing to bring me happiness on a regular basis, by that unparalleled talent of yours. Your voice rings in my ears, always. Tim
|
|
|
Post by Carps1000 on Mar 2, 2006 11:17:33 GMT -5
Happy Birthday Karen. In my thoughts as per usual & All U Get From Love is a playin as loud as I can have ( Pyscho next U know). 56 O M G. I wonder as I often have how Karen woulda sounded to day??? Ken XXXXX
|
|
|
Post by beaner on Mar 2, 2006 12:47:29 GMT -5
Happy Birthday to our dear Karen!! She is being thought of in so many ways today. I miss her but know she's looking down on all of us and knows how much we love her!
|
|
|
Post by mrbillis4u on Mar 2, 2006 17:49:53 GMT -5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN, IT IS SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SO MUCH TIME HAS GONE BY. I MISS KAREN NOT ONLY TODAY BUT ALL THE TIME. IT WAS JUST HARD THINKING THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN HER 56 BIRTHDAY. IMAGINE ALL THE THINGS SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN HER PERSONAL LIFE. I THINK SHE WOULD HAVE FOUND HAPPINESS, GOD KNOWS SHE WAS LOVED BY SO MANY... IF KAREN AND RICHARD HAD PUT OUT AN ALBUM FOR EVERY YEAR SHE HAS BEEN GONE WE WOULD HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 23 MORE ALBUMS. I SOMETIMES THINK OF ALL THE BEAUTIFUL SONGS WE HAVE MISSED.. BUT I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT SHE LEFT US AND I KNOW HEAVEN MUST SOUND INCREDIBLE HAVING KAREN SINGING FOR ALL THOSE ANGELS. LOVE TO YOU KAREN FROM ALL OF US HERE ON EARTH. MR BILL
|
|
|
Post by Prisoner_Walking on Mar 2, 2006 18:15:07 GMT -5
I wonder about this often: How can our loved ones who have passed be truly dead when we still remember and honour them?
I would ask you to think of all the people like me who were too young to remember 4th February '83 and who have discovered the Carpenters since. I've watched Karen and Richard's remarkable career unfold as if it was happening right here, right now.
Take a moment and think of all the new Carpenters fans who'll discover Karen's voice everyday.
Karen may not be physically here to celebrate her birthday, but I defy anyone to listen to the intamacy of Karen's voice on the majority of Carpenters records and tell me that this lady isn't still alive. L
|
|
|
Post by cam83 on Mar 2, 2006 18:39:21 GMT -5
Yes, it is that time of year, when it is the anniversary of Karen's birthday. I will never forget Feb 4th or March 2nd...when she graciously entered into the world. What a remarkeable woman she was. She was talented. You know what...Talented doesn't even begin to describe Karen's gifts. She was so much more than that. She was a drummer. She was a singer. She even was a songwriter(or was learning more about that avenue before her departure). She was an entertainer. She was a comedienne. She was a sister. She was a daughter. She was a cousin. She was a niece. She was a granddaughter. She was a woman. There was so much about her...so much more we'll never know. But the part that we do know...can take our breath away. She was such a gift to all of us.
I remember the time, when I saw the TwinTape cassette of Christmas Portrait and An Old Fashioned Christmas. I wanted that so bad. But in our family...with 5 kids and my parents...we had money but it had to be accounted for, and not spent frivolously. So I didn't even beg. I do remember, kind of saying, a bit slyly to mom..."OH look at this..."(with emphasis on the OH)...I didn't say anything more. But I wanted it so badly, but it cost a lot of money back then...1989...it must have been about $15.00 ((which back then was quite a bit of money). Well at Christmas time, I got it, and I thought I was on top of the world. I couldn't care less about any other gift. I was so ecstatic. And that is kind of how I view Karen's voice...like a present unwrapped that first time...you never forget it...it always stays in your memories. Other voices may come and go(and beautiful as those are...Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Jewel, Sandi Patty, Charlotte Church)...Karen's is the one I cherish the most. She is the pinnacle of vocal form, clarity,pronounciation, chill factor, and depth and feeling from within her soul. She was able to reach into her soul and incorporate that into a song. I never bought the idea that she just sang and that was that. It was more than that...because singers can sing wonderfully but Karen was a master at adding a wide range of emotions within her performances.
What I remember about her, was her visual look. I always thought she was beautiful. I remember the first time I saw the YESTERDAY ONCE MORE video, by ordering it. It was amazing. To see her singing all the songs I loved. I got to see a new side of her. And then I wanted more and more.
I loved reading the Ray Coleman book The Carpenters:The Untold Story. I got to learn more about Karen, about who she was, and how other people viewed/saw her. What an amazing persons she was.
And of course...that voice! Instantly recognizeable. Pure silk. Her vocals flowing over a song.
She is remembered and always will be missed...
My thoughts, Cameron
|
|
|
Post by Rick Henry on Mar 2, 2006 22:48:02 GMT -5
So many beautiful tributes written her. Karen Carpenter was truly a lovely soul. She was a rare breed in the sea of celebrities. Karen seemed so genuine. She seemed so down to earth. Beyond all that is her beautiful soul stirring voice. She has a voice which just can not be matched by any other. Her voice is sweet and tender but in it's soft way it's powerful and bold.
Today I played Carpenters the entire day in my car as a tribute to Karen. It is always a pleasure to hear her pure soulful voice. Everytime I hear her voice I fall in love with her all over again.
Her continuing popularity is a testament of her extreme gift of song. I agree with what Cam said, Karen was far more than just talented. She was blessed. Her talent is a gift from God.
Happy Birthday Karen Carpenter. You will always live in my heart.
|
|
|
Post by smoothie2 on Mar 3, 2006 0:47:12 GMT -5
Most of you will already be in bed by the late time I'm writing this...but, I did not forget. Wonderful thoughts expressed and all very true. I really think Karen would be greatly touched and honored by our words and feelings. When I think about her and Richard, I feel very grateful for the music. They also (even though this "goody-goody" image gave them personal fits) really were wonderful examples to the world as far as reaching people ... they were down to earth, and not into the flashy show biz world as we see it. .... The world surely has not been the same since all those yrs. ago. I miss Karen and I'm very very saddened her earthly life ended too soon. Her voice and spirit will always be with us though, and that's what's so wonderful! ALSO, THANKS RICK FOR THE COOL NEW BACKGROUND. IT'S QUITE SUPERB!!
|
|
|
Post by enigma on Mar 3, 2006 7:55:15 GMT -5
I am a little late here but here goes. Karen well what can I say about this woman, I cannot fully express what Karen has meant and continues to mean to me she is so many things talented, funny, gifted, beautiful inside and out just to name a few of the traits Karen posseses. I get a unique feeling when I see and/or hear Karen no one else touches my emotions or connects with me like Karen does I connected as a young child to Karen and continue to. Even when I don't listen to Karen for a long time the minute I hear her again, I reconnect the same way I did when I first heard her voice. What can I say this sensitive, emotional person has loved and will always love Karen Ann Carpenter I have been tested over the past year or so but dispite some challenges to my loyalty to Karen I still feel as I always have about Karen and know now more than ever that nothing and nobody will ever change that. Yesterday I celebrated Karen but then again I celebrate Karen everytime I hear her sing shes the best. KAC Fan 4 Life!!!!
|
|
|
Post by Rob813 on Mar 3, 2006 23:31:16 GMT -5
You guys have put it so wonderfully. I've let a day go by so I could celebrate Karen's birth as a private matter. The next thing to do is share what she has meant to me. I turned 50 this past year. I first heard Karen's beautiful voice in the summer of 1970 when I was just turning 15. Can you imagine how many years have passed since then!?! Through all this time Karen Carpenter has remained my number one favorite singer/entertainer of all time. I'm a ballad guy. I REALLY appreciate singers who can SING. Unfortunately there are so few of them. With Karen, there was never any guess as to her talent and abilities. She was and quite frankly IS the quientisential singer's singer. How many people have been inspired to use their voice and pursue their dream to inspire and entertain the world because of the example Karen set.
As Richard said on the liner notes of Karen's solo album, she was a great artist. How true this statement!!!
Happy Birthday dear Karen. I can only imagine what heaven must sound like with you there pouring out your voice in praise. We look forward to reuniting with you someday. Thanks for your gift of song and love. We love you always.
|
|
|
Post by BethMosior on Mar 3, 2006 23:46:32 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by smoothie2 on Mar 4, 2006 0:48:33 GMT -5
GREAT to hear from you Rob, hope thing are going ok for you what you said was very beautiful thanx ever sooooo much really what every one sayed, just wonderful part of me is where Karen is, my whole childhood Karen was my ONLY human Friend on earth img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/folder/earthspin.gif [/IMG] sorry all sometimes its really hard and I know I've sayed it alot I SURE MISS MY ONLY FRIEND ( when I was young ) but know I have ya'll THANX EVER SOOOOO MUCH Rick and the C's fan's on this web site sorry again for rambling again I really just don't know how to thank ya'll [/quote] :DWell we are all in this C's site together...I think I can safely say that we're all glad to have you around also.
|
|
|
Post by markbsac on Mar 4, 2006 1:00:44 GMT -5
yeah happy birthday to this wonderfull lady...with the voice of an angel..mark in england
|
|
|
Post by smoothie2 on Mar 4, 2006 1:04:24 GMT -5
I wonder about this often: How can our loved ones who have passed be truly dead when we still remember and honour them? I would ask you to think of all the people like me who were too young to remember 4th February '83 and who have discovered the Carpenters since. I've watched Karen and Richard's remarkable career unfold as if it was happening right here, right now. Take a moment and think of all the new Carpenters fans who'll discover Karen's voice everyday. Karen may not be physically here to celebrate her birthday, but I defy anyone to listen to the intamacy of Karen's voice on the majority of Carpenters records and tell me that this lady isn't still alive. L :-Greetings Prisoner_Walking.... Glad you're here at the site...and especially glad that you have discovered the Carpenters! I'm an old timer as far as knowing the C's. I was about 13 when I received my first C's album : CLose to You... But before that, just like a lightening bolt, I was struck with awe and admiration when I heard Karen singing Rainy Days. I always had the radio or stereo or tv going, and there was all kinds of music I enjoyed. But Karen, as they say, GOT me..yes, that intimacy...and the song itself really impacted me..please more and more...! and so anyway... she's SOOO With us!! smoothie
|
|
|
Post by smoothie2 on Mar 4, 2006 1:11:43 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]And warm welcome also to you markbsac! We Love to meet new folks here on the site...and hope you stick around and share for a long time![/glow]
smoothie
|
|