Post by cam83 on Sept 29, 2003 3:15:12 GMT -5
She was happy to learn that their Christmas album CHRISTMAS MEMORIES WITH THE CARPENTERS was in the Top 20 Album chart at # 15. It was destined to go platinum, by Christmas time as anything the duo touched turned to gold or platinum. Their single from that album, CHRISTMAS MEMORIES was already in the Top 10 at # 7 and was written by John Bettis and Richard Carpenter. Also another # 1 Adult Contemporary hit for 2 weeks. Karen had just loved that song, especially the lines...
When I was so young I dreamt of Christmas dreams and all the love I would find the next morning. Under the tree was all the love I could find. All from you, neatly wrapped. Now I've found your heart, all for me. Here is my love for you. Just my little heart. All I have and own for you. Christmas memories are here to stay, in my heart for all time…
That song was a gem, and her Christmas favorite was AVE MARIA. Nothing could top that song, in her books…She felt like an angel singing AVE MARIA. Now she had CHRISTMAS MEMORIES to add to that list. It had been a difficult song to sing, and it reminded her of the songs SOLITAIRE and GOODBYE TO LOVE, in that it was difficult because of the areas where she could only breathe. She could only breathe at certain intervals, as that was the way the song was woven, but that was part of the magical nature of the song.
The trees were up, and Florine was helping Karen with the one in the huge living room. They started by attaching light bulbs to the tree. Then it was time for the tinsel toe, and then came the fun part of putting the many, wonderful decorations on. There was angels, little drummer boy, bells, animals, Walt Disney characters, sheep, babies and so on. She loved doing this, arranging where everything was to go. There was a place for everything…and she didn't want anything to be hidden by something else. On top of the tree, was the crowning moment…an Angel so beautiful and bright. Karen wept at the beauty and purity of the Angel, a symbol of all that she held in her heart.
Just then, the doorbell chimed, the familiar tune of " We've only just begun…" Her mother must be here by now. Florine went to answer the door, as Agnes swept in.
"Hello Florine. How are you today? Is Karen here? I came to help her with the decorations," stated Agnes, who promptly walked in to her daughter's home.
"Oh Karen. There you are. My that looks lovely. I've brought some stuff that might be useful to you. Also, here is some gifts to put under your tree. Evelyn said they came today. Must be from some of your fans. I suppose you'll be getting more, in the days ahead," said Agnes without a breath, it seemed.
"I'm glad to see you Mom!" said Karen in a happy voice, as nothing could spoil her good mood. She went to give her Mom a hug and a kiss. Again, as always, Agnes looked a bit surprised, but accepted Karen's warmth.
Karen continued on, "I can't believe that year after year, the fans keep sending me and Richard stuff. They are so amazing. I wonder if Evelyn wrote down who sent the gifts, so I can personally thank them. Maybe even call them…hmm…Does that sound alright?" asked Karen.
"That would be really nice Karen. I am very sure that they would appreciate it. It shows that you are just like them…the only difference being that you are a celebrity," said a smiling Agnes.
As Karen headed back into the storage room, Agnes looked on her daughter with love. She did love her daughter, despite what those therapists said. So she didn't show her affection. She wasn't raised like that. Yes, Richard was her favorite, but Harold adored Karen more than Richard. So, it didn't mean that they didn't love their children. They did, they just showed it in different ways. If it wasn't for her and Harold's encouragement and support, why Karen and Richard may not be where they are today.
Karen entered the room with another box of ornaments, as Agnes went to pour herself a cup of coffee. The kitchen looked spotless as usual, but Agnes was glad to see that the cupboards, once bare, were now full with food. She peeked in Karen's huge, deluxe fridge and found that food was there, as well, and that put Agnes' mind at ease. Now she could enjoy her visit, with that out of the way.
"So what is Dad doing today? I am surprised that he didn't come. It would have been fun if he and Richard would have come," said Karen with a concerned voice. Was Richard avoiding her, because, as always it seemed, that he was upset with her weight. It was always about her weight and it made her mad. There was more to her, than just her weight. Why couldn't they all just see that? What about the real Karen that was locked deep inside of her. Couldn't they see her for who she was?
"He was feeling a bit tired today. He went with Richard to the warehouse, to check out on some of the automobiles that Richard is taking to the show. His heart seemed to be giving him some trouble, so I told him to go home and rest up. Richard's still at the warehouse, I presume," said Agnes, who was a bit troubled with her husband's health.
"Has he gone to the doctor?" asked Karen with alarm in her voice. If anything ever happened to her beloved father…well, she didn't know what she would do.
"Yes, and he got some medication. All he needs is to take it easy. You don't need to be alarmed Karen. He will be fine. I will take good care of him," said Agnes in a reassuring way.
Mother and daughter came together and hugged, trying their best to calm each other. No words were spoken, and none were needed. Not at a moment like this. A rare moment, when heaven and earth connected.
Their television special CHRISTMAS MEMORIES aired on the evening of December 16, 1984, and it was another success hitting the Neilson Ratings at # 2.
The whole Carpenter family was together at Newville Avenue watching the special with a few close family friends. Evelyn and Florine were there, and added to the atmosphere. It had been special because Evelyn and Florine had been in the special as guest stars, and they loved the attention bestowed upon them by Richard and Karen. Karen and Richard believed that any one who had as loyal and loving staff as theirs, should treat them as family. Christmas came and went with lots of love and harmony in the family, as every effort was made to not ruin the festivities. With little stress, Karen's weight rose to 111 pounds, and everything seemed to be looking better.
When I was so young I dreamt of Christmas dreams and all the love I would find the next morning. Under the tree was all the love I could find. All from you, neatly wrapped. Now I've found your heart, all for me. Here is my love for you. Just my little heart. All I have and own for you. Christmas memories are here to stay, in my heart for all time…
That song was a gem, and her Christmas favorite was AVE MARIA. Nothing could top that song, in her books…She felt like an angel singing AVE MARIA. Now she had CHRISTMAS MEMORIES to add to that list. It had been a difficult song to sing, and it reminded her of the songs SOLITAIRE and GOODBYE TO LOVE, in that it was difficult because of the areas where she could only breathe. She could only breathe at certain intervals, as that was the way the song was woven, but that was part of the magical nature of the song.
The trees were up, and Florine was helping Karen with the one in the huge living room. They started by attaching light bulbs to the tree. Then it was time for the tinsel toe, and then came the fun part of putting the many, wonderful decorations on. There was angels, little drummer boy, bells, animals, Walt Disney characters, sheep, babies and so on. She loved doing this, arranging where everything was to go. There was a place for everything…and she didn't want anything to be hidden by something else. On top of the tree, was the crowning moment…an Angel so beautiful and bright. Karen wept at the beauty and purity of the Angel, a symbol of all that she held in her heart.
Just then, the doorbell chimed, the familiar tune of " We've only just begun…" Her mother must be here by now. Florine went to answer the door, as Agnes swept in.
"Hello Florine. How are you today? Is Karen here? I came to help her with the decorations," stated Agnes, who promptly walked in to her daughter's home.
"Oh Karen. There you are. My that looks lovely. I've brought some stuff that might be useful to you. Also, here is some gifts to put under your tree. Evelyn said they came today. Must be from some of your fans. I suppose you'll be getting more, in the days ahead," said Agnes without a breath, it seemed.
"I'm glad to see you Mom!" said Karen in a happy voice, as nothing could spoil her good mood. She went to give her Mom a hug and a kiss. Again, as always, Agnes looked a bit surprised, but accepted Karen's warmth.
Karen continued on, "I can't believe that year after year, the fans keep sending me and Richard stuff. They are so amazing. I wonder if Evelyn wrote down who sent the gifts, so I can personally thank them. Maybe even call them…hmm…Does that sound alright?" asked Karen.
"That would be really nice Karen. I am very sure that they would appreciate it. It shows that you are just like them…the only difference being that you are a celebrity," said a smiling Agnes.
As Karen headed back into the storage room, Agnes looked on her daughter with love. She did love her daughter, despite what those therapists said. So she didn't show her affection. She wasn't raised like that. Yes, Richard was her favorite, but Harold adored Karen more than Richard. So, it didn't mean that they didn't love their children. They did, they just showed it in different ways. If it wasn't for her and Harold's encouragement and support, why Karen and Richard may not be where they are today.
Karen entered the room with another box of ornaments, as Agnes went to pour herself a cup of coffee. The kitchen looked spotless as usual, but Agnes was glad to see that the cupboards, once bare, were now full with food. She peeked in Karen's huge, deluxe fridge and found that food was there, as well, and that put Agnes' mind at ease. Now she could enjoy her visit, with that out of the way.
"So what is Dad doing today? I am surprised that he didn't come. It would have been fun if he and Richard would have come," said Karen with a concerned voice. Was Richard avoiding her, because, as always it seemed, that he was upset with her weight. It was always about her weight and it made her mad. There was more to her, than just her weight. Why couldn't they all just see that? What about the real Karen that was locked deep inside of her. Couldn't they see her for who she was?
"He was feeling a bit tired today. He went with Richard to the warehouse, to check out on some of the automobiles that Richard is taking to the show. His heart seemed to be giving him some trouble, so I told him to go home and rest up. Richard's still at the warehouse, I presume," said Agnes, who was a bit troubled with her husband's health.
"Has he gone to the doctor?" asked Karen with alarm in her voice. If anything ever happened to her beloved father…well, she didn't know what she would do.
"Yes, and he got some medication. All he needs is to take it easy. You don't need to be alarmed Karen. He will be fine. I will take good care of him," said Agnes in a reassuring way.
Mother and daughter came together and hugged, trying their best to calm each other. No words were spoken, and none were needed. Not at a moment like this. A rare moment, when heaven and earth connected.
Their television special CHRISTMAS MEMORIES aired on the evening of December 16, 1984, and it was another success hitting the Neilson Ratings at # 2.
The whole Carpenter family was together at Newville Avenue watching the special with a few close family friends. Evelyn and Florine were there, and added to the atmosphere. It had been special because Evelyn and Florine had been in the special as guest stars, and they loved the attention bestowed upon them by Richard and Karen. Karen and Richard believed that any one who had as loyal and loving staff as theirs, should treat them as family. Christmas came and went with lots of love and harmony in the family, as every effort was made to not ruin the festivities. With little stress, Karen's weight rose to 111 pounds, and everything seemed to be looking better.
