Part 2 of The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time – posts about my nephew, Jeff, who died of cancer 25 years ago this week. In 1996, Super Bowl Sunday was on January 28. I had just flown back to Texas to spend time with Tom, Kris, Jeff and Lisa, for what would beContinue reading “Meeting Bart Simpson on Super Bowl Sunday”
Author Archives: Karna Haugen
The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time
On February 11, 2021, it will be 25 years since my only nephew, Jeff, died of cancer. He was 13 years old and had been diagnosed with a brain tumor a little more than one year before that. It’s hard to know what he would be like at 38. He was bright, clever, loving andContinue reading “The Boy We Loved, Once Upon a Time”
Using My Words
Lots of people select a word to focus on at the beginning of a new year. Google “word for the year,” and you’ll find nearly three billion entries to chase down — offering reasons for doing so, tips for how to choose one, and lists of possible words. I had never chosen a word forContinue reading “Using My Words”
Christmas Letter Mash-Up
It’s been several years (okay, a decade or more) since I sent a Christmas letter, and I only wrote a few. While we sent Christmas cards out every year starting with my oldest child’s first Christmas in 1988, my first Christmas letter was sent in 2000. Twenty years ago. Wow. Here are excerpts from thatContinue reading “Christmas Letter Mash-Up”
Necessity: the Mother of Tradition
At the end of Thanksgiving Day I was surprised to find a lovely text message from my niece Shelly, sent to me along with her other aunts and her mom. It was a thank you message for our being the “hands and hard work behind” her holiday memories, which she has new appreciation for afterContinue reading “Necessity: the Mother of Tradition”
Yes, it Rhymes
When my older daughter, Anika, was very young, one of her school assignments was to compose a poem. She asked if I’d like to hear the poem, and very proudly recited it. She probably read it to me from her sparkly Hello Kitty spiral-bound notebook. I don’t remember the content, but after she finished IContinue reading “Yes, it Rhymes”
Turning the Corner
Today would be my 36th wedding anniversary, if I were still celebrating the date. And two days from now, I will have been divorced for 10 years. Also a day I am not exactly celebrating. What is different for me this time around is that I am unaccountably sadder than I have been for aContinue reading “Turning the Corner”
Tend the New Growth
I’ve always liked typewriters. When I was growing up on Hampshire Drive, we had a vintage Underwood typewriter in our basement. Around the same time that I fell head-over-heels in love with books, I decided that I should be a writer so I could weave tapestries of words like the authors I was fangirling over.Continue reading “Tend the New Growth”
The Quilts We Carry
I visited my mom tonight. She is a hospice patient so we’re allowed to visit her at her assisted living residence, even during the pandemic.Just as we do on most Saturday nights these days, we watched the Lawrence Welk show on public television. We comment on the era they’ve chosen for the program aired thatContinue reading “The Quilts We Carry”
So…Then What?
Slight disclaimer: 1) I promise not to keep bringing up George Bailey in every post. I find meaning in a few iconic American movies, and he showed up here, again; 2) I’m sorry if you’re not familiar with the plots of the movies I’m referencing, but they’re iconic, so… ; 3) I don’t currently knowContinue reading “So…Then What?”
Karna Eastlund Haugen 