My dearest KB,
Karly Barker chick, slippy-slidey, best friend. Today as we meet together to
celebrate your beautiful life I hope to remind those gathered of the energetic
spirit you brought to my life as a friend.
Let’s start back at age five, I remember
kindergarten together and you introduced yourself as Kaly Baker. Little did I
know Kaly Baker would become my best friend.
Before we knew it we were having play
dates together and it came time that we start losing teeth. Just like it was
yesterday I remember the day you lost your first tooth. I was so anxious to
know what it felt like and you made sure your mom and I understood it was the
worst thing ever. As it always was there was screaming involved. There was also
the day I chocked on a bead in the back seat of the car and you were prepared
to give me CPR at age six. We never had a dull moment together.
Then there were the days of dancing
together, whether it was in dance class or just for fun at home. You loved
choreographing dances with me, especially if NYSNC or The Backstreet Boys were
involved. We took our love of dance to another level with cheerleading together
in high school. Right before we would dance at halftime you would always make
sure we said a little prayer for safety and guidance. When you were nervous I
somehow promised you it would all be fine and you always reminded me to smile and
“shine” out there. I could not have done it without you.
During the past five years I got to
know my Karly on a whole other level. You became a counselor, a crying partner,
bus buddy, and sister in Christ. We shared the struggles of finding a date to
school dances, picking out what to wear for the first day of school, keeping
our stress to a minimum when it came time for college applications, and making
sure we found each other back at small group once a week to regroup with Norma.
One of my favorite memories of high school is the nights we had sleepovers
together as senior year was coming to an end. You suggested we start “sleepover
Thursdays” so we could cherish the few weeks we had left before the “real
world”. We were and are inseparable.
In the recent months as we conquered
being apart during our first year of college I never felt I missed a beat. Your
weekly “love you” texts and facetime dates made me feel close despite the
distance. As the loving person you are you even made time to come visit me and
understand what the dorm life was all about. This summer we picked back up like
nothing had ever changed. I am so, so, thankful we even spent one last
houseboat trip together too.
Not only are you a fabulous friend but
a true role model. Every minute you spent on this Earth was displaying your
love for the Lord. From you I have learned to be selfless, welcoming, patient,
forgiving, and happy! I remember one rough day during school I had tripped over
a hidden root while walking to class with you and you made sure you picked me
up despite our embarrassed giggles. You dusted me off and reminded me “you had
my back”. It was the little glimpses of love that showed those around you your
faith.
I am thankful for what you taught me in
our short time together. You are incredible woman that will continue to improve
the lives of people around you. Let’s us never forget the silly Karly Barker we
all love. As you would always tell me when I was leaving anywhere, “see you
soon love”.
I’d now like to finish with a poem:
A million times we've
needed you,
A
million times we've cried.
If love
alone could've saved you,
You
never would have died.
In life
we loved you dearly,
In
death we love you still.
In our
hearts you hold a place,
No one
else will ever fill.
It
broke our hearts to lose you,
But you
didn't go alone.
Part of
us went with you,
The day
God took you home.
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