(My apologies for a couple of typing errors in yesterday's Karen's Korner. I have made the corrections; so if you'd like a 'better' copy, go to www.karens-korner.com . It will be the second one (today's will be first); copy and paste. Or click on the 'printer' icon in the upper right-hand corner!)

It was sixteen years ago today that our younger daughter Merry was killed in a car/truck accident.

I decided to celebrate the week with "Merry Memories". Day #2 was Sunday when I attended the Karl King Band Concert in Fort Dodge. She played in it several years as a high school and college student.

Today is Day #4, indulge a Mom with today's 'Karen's Korner, featuring a couple of "Merry Memories"; (she was 26 years old when she died):

* While she was in high school, she learned that a friend had attempted suicide overnight. Both were in school that next day. Neither of them attended any classes; Merry just wanted to 'be there' for the friend so they spent the day talking;

" As an adult, Merry was a music teacher in the Clear Creek-Amana Schools. She also gave private piano lessons. A mother came to talk with Merry before beginning her third year of lessons. The mother's two children wouldn't be able to take lessons any longer, as she and her husband were going through a divorce and there wouldn't be money for them that fall. Merry told the mom, "I will teach them for free. Kids shouldn't have to suffer for something that isn't their faults."

* Merry was born with a birth defect and had experienced several surgeries the last year of her life. Thus missing a number of school days due to her illness. But when one of her best friends, who was an only child, lost his mom unexpectedly, Merry took a personal day, so that she could be with him.

* Several months before she died, she and I met in Des Moines for some later afternoon shopping. I recall jumping into her car. Merry had spent the earlier part of the day, frequenting some of the quaint shops in Amana picking out special gifts for people in her life. Not because it was a birthday or special occasion, but just because she thought of them. I can still see her hands, rifling through wrapping as she pulled out each treasure, telling about each person and why she picked what she did. Being the 'practical mother', I was thinking about 'saving money' to help she and Ed pay off any of their outstanding bills. Merry was right for being an uncommon friend to each of them!

* The last time she and Ed were at our home she plunked a post card-sized Veggie Tale saying on our farm home refrigerator, featuring two of the characters. On the front it says, "God made you special". And on the back side "....and He Loves You Very Much!" It remains on our refrigerator and will, as long as I have a home and a refrigerator.....even if hardly anyone recalls 'Veggie Tales' another day! The message doesn't change for any of us:  'We are Special. God' Loves Us Very Much!'

The Bible says, "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17); and Merry was a good friend!