Post #29 - A Website Link From Mami-Ji

Hey guys,

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying all the snow...if that's even possible! Anyways, Mami-Ji just called me and mentioned that if you visit Guildford Athletic Club's website, there's information about the toy drive on the main page. I think it's just great! Like Mami-Ji, I too am touched by how supportive they've been. Check it out:

http://www.guildfordac.com/

I've posted it in the LINKS section of this blog as well. I've also put up another link from the same page where the Guildford Rangers dedicate their B.C. Provincial Cup win to Mama.

Love Karen

Post #28 - Wow

I thought this was pretty weird, but also a sign...

On Thursday I was driving to school and it was raining slightly (as expected). Usually I have a CD or the radio going when I drive, like 99.9% of the time, but I didn't that day. Anyways, I was in Burnaby and close to SFU when I almost got into a head-on collision with a car that was in opposing traffic - so in my lane. Luckily I missed it. I remember looking up and just thanking God and Mama for watching over me. The weird part is just seconds later I decided to turn the radio on and guess what was playing? No joke...it was Me & U by Cassie.

xoxo Karen

Post #27 - Random Thoughts...

I was listening to a song just now and I thought about how true some of the lyrics were. Mama was on top of the world. Great family, working on his dream home...he had everything going for him. Personally, I was in awe of everything he had achieved for himself at such a young age - he could've retired if he wanted to! I knew he was an excellent role-model for all of us because he was proof that when it came to setting goals, the sky was the limit! ...And then the unexpected happened. Sadly, I guess it just goes to show that when everything is going great:
"God really has his ways of taking you off that stage..."
-artist: Joe

xoxo Karen

Post #26 - Christmas Toy Drive...Approved!

Hey guys,

Well today was a busy day! I woke up early because Mami-Ji called to see if I wanted to go with her to pick something out for the new house. I had exactly 15 mins to jump out of bed, shower, and get dressed, but surprisingly I was ready when she came over to pick me up. I really enjoyed spending the day with her. Lots of good conversation :)

Anyways, over lunch I told Mami-Ji about the toy drive we were working on in memory of Mama. Basically I told her Harinder wanted to tell her about it since it was his idea, but that he felt more comfortable if I told her instead. The good news is she loved it! She got me even more excited about it than I already was! I told her all of us had fired off e-mails to our friends (including Jimmy with his impressive 250!) and that everything was already under way. It was funny though because when I told Mami-Ji I had something important to tell her, she thought I was going to say I wanted to get engaged, haha. Also, talk about good timing because right after I told Mami-Ji about the toy drive, she was checking her cell messages and she listened to one where someone said they’d be more than willing to help out with the toy drive! Mami-Ji's right: WORD SPREADS FAST!

There are a lot of details that still need to be ironed out. The good news is that not only is Mami-Ji on board with the toy drive, but so is Masi! Both of them mentioned a lot of people that would be super eager to help out, including family and sports teams. I also told Mami-Ji that I thought we could set something up at the boys’ school so they could help too. She agreed, so we both went with Masi to speak with the principal. It turns out she was in a meeting, but she'll be getting back to Masi no later than tomorrow. Once we get the principal’s approval (which shouldn't be a problem), we can send home newsletters with every kid that goes to that elementary school. I think they'd all love to help because the Panorama Ridge community is really tight-knit and generous.

Well that's about it, guys. It's really great to see everyone excited about this! And another thing - as per Roger's suggestion, Mitch will also be helping us out with the toy drive. As Roger, Mami-Ji, and Masi all said, we're his only family and he called Mama his best friend, so we all need to stick together…especially during the Christmas season.

Take care and talk to you all soon!

Love Karen

PS: Wow, Harinder...talk about picking the right thing to do this Christmas season! And Mami-Ji also mentioned that one of Mama’s favourite places to donate to was Children’s Hospital. I'm sure he's looking down on all of us right now and he must be so proud.

Post #25 - Mama's 43rd Birthday

Today is November 4th and it would've been Mama's 43rd birthday.

We went over to Mami-Ji's mom's house today for an akand path in his memory and it was really weird being there because that's where everything happened. I didn't think much about it until I was sitting there in silence looking at the candles that were lit and then it really hit me...

Anyways, this is going to be a short post, but I did want to include the BEAUTIFUL quote Harinder used in his speech at the funeral:

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God can tell us why.

Happy birthday, Mama. I regret not calling you last year to wish you a happy birthday just because I never got around to it (stupid me)...and now I only wish you were here so that I could call you a million times to say it...

Love Karen

Post #24 - An Amazing Poem...

Little did we know that morning
God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly,
in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone.

For part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide.

And though we cannot see you,
you are always by our side.

Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same...

But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

...Only 2 days left until what would've been your 43rd birthday, Mama. Miss you.

Love Karen