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It is said that friendships can be for a reason, a season, or a life-time. My friendship with Lorelei was for a reason and an extended season.
Lorelei died on August 20, 2010 after an eighteen month battle with brain cancer. She was 53.
Lorelei's faith was deeply rooted. Her entire life was lived radically and passionately as she inspired everyone she met to revel in God's grace and love. She spoke and wrote honestly and articulately of her desire to be healed of brain cancer. She was not ready to leave her husband and best friend of 30 years or their children. But at her core, Lorelei's desire was to trust God – in life and in death.
The years of friendship with Lorelei are tucked sweetly in my memory and in my heart. We became close friends on the worship team at our church. Lorelei played piano and sang tenor, I sang alto, and her husband Ron (our worship pastor) sang lead. Our hearts were knitted together by our mutual love for God and music.
I became “Auntie Karen” to their two young children and spent countless hours in their home. Memories, like old home movies, flicker in my mind --- meaningful conversations, book discussions, movie nights, countless Scrabble games, rehearsals, laughter, tears, holidays, and road trips.
Seasons change. At the time of her death, I had not seen Lorelei in nearly thirteen years. They moved to Paris, France to pastor at Trinity International Church and I moved out of state. I realize now that some people have such an impact on your life that neither time nor distance can diminish their imprint. Lorelei was such a person.
This LO is a tribute to a woman who is dearly missed. She fought valiantly, but when it was time to lay her weapons down, she did so with dignity and grace. A 2000-seat auditorium was not large enough to hold the people who came to celebrate Lorelei's life. It was a life well-lived. Thousands around the world were sorry they couldn't be there in person to honor her. Our loss is truly heaven's gain.
The envelope on my page contains a private note to Lorelei and some journaling strips highlighting specific things I will remember and treasure about our friendship. Dearest Lorelei, I will not forget you. Your friendship, love, and example have had a profound influence on me. I cherish each remembrance. Thank you.
p.s. The large photo was taken in Paris. Ron and Lorelei returned to France one final time to pack up their apartment and say goodbye to their beloved friends. Bittersweet, indeed.
Thank you for looking. Karen
NOTE: The papers IRL are black and white. The black looks more brownish here!
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What a beautiful layout for a beautiful friend.So sorry for your loss my friend.
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WOW!!! What a beautiful tribute to your friend!!! She is now at peace with her God! Fabulous work!!!
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Oh Karen, this is absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful and heart-tugging memorial to a beautiful person. I am so glad that you had the chance to be her friend, it sounds like anyone would have been blessed to know her. The pictures are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
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Karen what a beautiful loving tribute.. gorgeous lo - the photos you selected reveal what a lovely, brave, life embracing woman Lorelei was. I hope that the process of creating this page eased a little of your sorrow.
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How very beautiful.
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Love the envelope
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What a beautiful tribute to your friend.
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what a stunning page and a beautiful tribute ... tfs
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beautiful and moving!
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Beautiful!
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what a wonderful and moving page. You captured and conveyed so much.
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I can imagine you are very proud of this layout . I'm so sorry for your loss, but I think she would have loved this layout.
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A beautiful tribute to a truly remarkable woman. Thank you for sharing this with us!
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What a beautiful LO in memory of your dear friend. Your LO is very elegant and your friend would have been very honored.
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What a beautiful, heartfelt, lovely tribute to your cherished friend. God indeed has a special plan for such a WONDERFUL lady. Your lo is done with such style and grace, I am sure she would have loved it.
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What a moving description, Karen. Terrible loss, I'm very sorry. You've created such a wonderful and heartfelt tribute to this amazing lady. So beautiful!
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as heartfelt and meaningful as it is beautiful.
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This is one of the most touching memorial, (if you will) to a special lady. Karen you should be proud you did a fantastic job. You know she is now
with God and you have great memories you graciously shared with us, many thanks!
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Oh Karen this is so well done! I love the layers! You do a great job in balancing out the heavy with the lighter items. In fact all your layouts are well balanced in so many ways. Fabulous tribute page, I am sorry for your loss!
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The description is very moving... as is the LO of course. What a beautiful tribute page. The pp mixture and the use of the red for pops of color are wonderful. I also like the roses and the envelope. Beautiful!
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Such a beautiful memorial to a dear friend! You really did a fantastic job - it's so pretty - and the pictures and design are wonderful - but, the best part is your journaling - so heartfelt!!!!
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Beautiful, touching story. Lovely tribute. Great job.
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Wow, what a touching & sweet tribute to your friend. Beautiful layout! Thanks so much for sharing this.
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Stunning and great and heartwarming back story!
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This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us!
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Wow! What a beautiful page and tribute! She looks like she was an amazing woman!
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This is so beautiful---you're tribute is so precious! I share a similar story with a friend who was a treasure to me for over 30 years. She lost her life to Hodgkin's disease (on August 20, 2007). I pray the tribute LO I do to honor her memory will turn out half as lovely as your tribute. Very stunning and touching. I'm sure Lorelie is very touched.
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this is just beautiful karen,i love the bits of red they just pop
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Gorgeous layout! What a way to document her memory. Everyone should be lucky enough to have found such a great friend.
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WOW! That brought me to tears! What an incredible LO and tribute page! It is so beautiful that I can't begin to describe how touching this is!
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You never cease to amaze me. Whether you are making a sweet page for a beloved pet or a heartfelt tribute to an old friend, your warmth comes across abundantly. The page arrangement is wonderful, great pic placement. I love the B&W photos and brown, Black & white color scheme, with red accents. Touching momento of your friendship~ favs~ xox
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Karen wonderful tribute... love your page!!!!
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Karen, this is such a stunning tribute to your dear friend. What you wrote about your friend was so moving. You were both so blessed to have such a special friendship.
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she sounds like a truly special person and I can tell she meant a lot to you-this a wonderful tribute to her life and to th friendship you shared.
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Such a heartwarming & inspirational page--and an amazing tribute to your friend...beautifully done.
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This is so heartwarming and special. What a lovely way to honor a beautiful life! You did a fantastic job ♥
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Karen this layout is beautiful! I know she is honored that you've done this great tribute to her life. What a wonderful friendship you two had! Your layout really compliments the beautiful lady she was! Great punch work and color choices!
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beautiful!!!!!
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Beautiful layout and wonderful tribute to your dear friend.
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Beautiful...So sorry for your loss but you have done a wonderful job on this LO... Hugs ...
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Big sigh...a stunning lo and a stunning tribute Karen...wow..you have an amazing way with words and I always so love reading your journals. I am sorry about your friend...you were lucky to have each other...
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This is just a WOW, story. You have such a beautiful ability to write. Truely moved by this story. Blessing to all.
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This is such a beautiful tribute to your wonderful friend. I am deeply moved.
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Love this. I can totally relate as I lost a dear, dear friend of 45 years to lymphoma. A piece of your heart is gone forever.
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This is stunning. Gorgeous work. The words you wrote about your friend were wonderful too. What a tribute to her. It is fantastic how well you can sum things up -- giving us an amazing snapshot into something obviously deep and very profound. Beautiful work, and beautiful sentiment. I would say she was a lucky lady to share such a treasured friendship with you!
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Beautiful loving layout and tribute to your dear friend.
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Very nice lo and what a tribute to your friend!! Love it!
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The photos show her just as you described her so eloquently-graceful and embracing life. You were so lucky to have her in your life as she sounds like a special gift from God.
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I am so moved by your beautiful journaling Karen I can hardly see my keyboard through the tears. beautiful tribute to your special friend and the wonderful friendship you shared.
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Gorgeous tribute to a friend and very sorry for your lost!
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Beautiful tribute!
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gorgeous :)
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Karen~This is beautiful!
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This is the most beautiful memorial lo!! She would be so proud!! Very sorry that you lost her so young! Truly a stunning lo!!!
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so so sorry for the loss of your wonderful friend...but a very memorable and unforgettable page you have presented to honour this very special friend in your life....your very well written journalling brought tears to my eyes,,,as i too lost a very special friend last year...thankyou for sharing
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love the browns and swirls!
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