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Apr 20, 2006 22:41:31 GMT -5
Post by Rick Henry on Apr 20, 2006 22:41:31 GMT -5
While looking for some information for the upcoming web site update I came across a quote from the Ray Coleman book which really caught my attention.
I think this quote is from late 1971 or early 1972.
On a visit to London, asked in a BBC radio interview whether she looked forward to marriage and children, Karen replied: "Oh, I love children. When I do get married, I want to be in a position to settle down and have children, and stay at home with 'em. I would never have a kid and haul them on the road and give 'em to a maid! I think that's the most absurd thing that anybody could ever do."
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Apr 20, 2006 23:22:10 GMT -5
Post by smoothie2 on Apr 20, 2006 23:22:10 GMT -5
That's interesting...This is what I suspected her answer might be. I truly think this could have happened. Thanks for posting that for us. This tells me again that Karen wasn't all for the glamor and fame. She was a down-to-earth lady. s
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Apr 21, 2006 8:18:49 GMT -5
Post by enigma on Apr 21, 2006 8:18:49 GMT -5
Yes I must agree this is a good example of Karen being down to earth. There are countless other examples of this and it is a major reason I love Karen so she seemed very practical down to earth and relatively unjaded by her fame. I am also a little surprised by her traditional values I mean I shouldn't be due to Agnes being traditional in her approach to Raising Karen but one would think with the wealth, Fame and constant working Karen did as well as her Tomboy personality that she would be more career oriented and less traditional. Again part of me likes a lady who is more traditional and Karen appears to be that way. Interesting quote Rick.
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Apr 21, 2006 10:34:15 GMT -5
Post by Ming on Apr 21, 2006 10:34:15 GMT -5
I agree. Karen is a down-to-earth lady. Ming
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Apr 21, 2006 21:44:38 GMT -5
Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 21, 2006 21:44:38 GMT -5
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Apr 23, 2006 10:36:19 GMT -5
Post by Rick Henry on Apr 23, 2006 10:36:19 GMT -5
This is a great quote. There's been a few mentions about how Karen did look forward to raising a family. It was mentioned in the Karen Carpenters Story, how she wanted to have a large family. It's sad that it never happened. I like the values portrayed in this quote. Karen sounds like she was a real down to earth level headed person. It seems like all she ever wanted was to make music and sell millions yet also just be a normal everyday person - although with fame we all know that can't be so.
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magiclamp
CERTIFIED SILVER MEMBER
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, Is just to love and be loved in return" {NATURE BOY}
Posts: 73
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Jul 12, 2006 10:03:47 GMT -5
Post by magiclamp on Jul 12, 2006 10:03:47 GMT -5
I don't think any of us will ever get over Karen's untimely passing. She was so young, so loving and had so much life left to live, so many dreams to realize. I always felt that Karen was incredibly down to earth, and sensed that her friends and family were of utmost importance in her life. She said how much she loved children and spent a lot of time with life-long friend Debbie Cuticello and her family, in New Haven CT, especially when she was busy at work on her solo album. I'm sure she relished playing "Aunt" to the Cuticello's little ones. When I met Debbie and her husband some years ago, they reminisced about Karen's natural warmth and how she loved to visit and be with their children. She was just so maternal, there's no question. But as I ponder this subject, something else comes to mind. When she passed on, Richard was left without his sister and professional partner. After years of non-stop touring, traveling and recording, he was now left to consider other personal aspects of his life. Life now presented him the opportunity of slowing down and taking stock of other dreams, outside of music. It was only a year or so after Karen's death that Richard married, and not much later, started a family of his own. Surely, his settling down and becoming a family man has brought him the kind of personal fulfillment that only a family can. He married a truly lovely lady, and their five children are no doubt the recipients of much love and adoration. It brings me great joy that Richard is now enjoying the fruits of his many years of labor, love and sacrifice. I think Karen would have wanted the same for herself,-- but I think there is a price to pay for those who work in an industry that takes you away from home and family-life, and so I wonder .... Had things turned out differently, had Karen won her battle with her illness, how would this have changed the course of the career of the Carpenters and their personal pursuits where love, marriage and children are concerned? They had often mentioned their manic travel/tour schedule, and how they never slowed down. I'm sure there was a genuine desire to do just that, - thus, allowing them to date, settle down, raise a family. But do you think the desire, and what it takes to stay on top of their craft [and on the charts] would have hastened their lifestyle enough to really make those changes in their lives? Were they not committed [and "addicted"] to their work, so much so that their individual [personal] dreams would take a back seat, despite their wish to have it all? I say all of this with respect and love to both Richard and Karen, and to all here on the forum. These are areas of their lives which are so highly personal/private, and I hesitated to comment, but hope I've done so in a way that tells you how much I love and respect them. Warmest regards, magiclamp
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Jul 12, 2006 14:19:14 GMT -5
Post by cam83 on Jul 12, 2006 14:19:14 GMT -5
Hi All, I also believe Karen to want a family desperately. What I like and remember is the interview where she talks about having a man with children, and how she would cook and clean after a man. That must have made women libber's fuming...but it was her own feelings. I don't have a need to prove anything she is quoted as saying. From the Sweet Sixteen interview on the Leadsister site, I think. It reminds me of our family. My Auntie Jewel is 5 years younger than my Mom, who at the time of the early 1980's was about 34, and Auntie Jewel was 28 or 29. She was beautiful, wore gorgeous jewelery, fancy outfits and was so chic. So us kids loved it when she came to visit us for a few weeks at a time. She loved spending time separately with each one of us...at the time there were just the 3 of us kids...and we thought she was glamorous and did exotic things, travelling to Europe, or Mexico or wherever. She was a single woman, who dated, and was a teacher in Edmonton. So of course, she kinda reminded me a bit of Karen...of how it would be for a glamourous woman to come into your life...
Karen would have made a great mother. And for those that say anorexics can't have children(while in the midst of their starvation they can't)...after their battle. Many can(yes, I know some can't)...but Karen managed to regain all the things she needed to have children...acceptable body weight etc. Look at Cherry Boone, and Chris Christian's wife...they both had children. Also Marie Osmond, and many others...
I think she would have had at least 2 children, and possibly even considered adopting. She would have made a good mother, and I also think, some of her mother would have come thru...that's usually a natural part of life...sometimes you find yourself saying EXACTLY what you said you'd NEVER say to your kids...LOL.
Cameron
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Jul 13, 2006 14:47:28 GMT -5
Post by beaner on Jul 13, 2006 14:47:28 GMT -5
Very well said, Magic Lamp! It's so nice that you met with Karen's friends/neighbors from New Haven, also. I remember when I went to Newville home to try and meet Mr. or Mrs. Carpenter, I was only able to speak briefly with their housekeeper, Evelyn. But even that, she was kind and very pleasant to speak with.
Karen is at peace now and I'm sure Richard has had a lot of weight lifted off him too as time has passed. He has lived a wonderful life so far and can now share his past, present and future with his wonderful family.
Beaner
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