Five years ago today was the last day I got to spend with Karsten, although of course I didn’t know it at the time. People always think that if they could have a day back to spend with someone who’s gone, that they’d live it so differently. But most of the time there’s no heads-up notice that this day that you’re spending is the last one, so, y’know, you’d better make it good. In other words, even though it sounds trite to say “appreciate the time you have with the people you love,” if there’s anything more life-alteringly profound to say about that truth, I don’t know what it is.
Love on your people, and be grateful for them.
💙💙💙💙💙
Love on your people
Love love love you, Kate.
Think of him everyday as I was by your old house. He has had an imprint on so many ♥️. Wonder if this would supersede him.
I happened on your page while looking for a place to express my own grief on learning of Karsten’s passing.
Yes, five years later. I knew Karsten when we were both growing up, block from one another…knew him as a friend from school, an amazing, uniquely gifted person. My older brother and I would swap records with him, and I spent many lots of time in his garage workshop admiring his work. I believe I still have some records he gave me when we were in school together, perhaps still have a few signatures from him in a couple of yearbooks.
Of course that was a long time ago. But it was just yesterday that I discovered he had lived here, just a few miles from where I’d lived and worked since the early 90s. Oh, I don’t know if he’d remember me. We went two very different directions, he and I, as people will. But you never know. We were Yes fans in the 70s; they played the Ryman just a few years ago. I can easily imagine him being in the audience with my son and I.
So. The grief is new for me. The memories are old, very old, but still…fresh, and still pleasant.
Knowing him was a gift. Sometimes we need to be reminded just how precious that gift can be. Your words did just that for me. Thank you.
Brightest blessings, Kate.
I’m sorry you only found out five years later, James. That must be a weird feeling. But thanks for coming here and sharing some of your memories of Karsten. I’m sure he’d have enjoyed going to that Yes concert with you — especially since I’m not a fan and wouldn’t have wanted to go, so he’d have loved having an old friend to go with. 🙂 Love and peace to you.
❤️❤️❤️
Truer words were never spoken. Love you, miss Karsten, and am grateful for the loves in my life – they are my blessings.
Your absolutely right, “love on em’ and treasure the time you have” ❤️❤️❤️❤️