MY Life Nuggets: Karen

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Karen

KAREN GUNDERSEN LUKE

My first friend outside of family was Karen. She is like family, as her dad and mine were buddies when they were young, and we were in the same ward, school, neighborhood. She had a little sister, Julie, and I had a younger cousin, Nancy. We four roamed from house to house playing all our childhood. It was wonderful. The Gundersen are Norwegian and I learned so much from their love of their heritage, as well as being around a large family (9 children!). Sleepovers, Merrie Miss (with her mother as our leader), movies, plays, etc., etc! Karen was always pretty, kind, careful, and patient. I felt like I was just the opposite: plain, quick, get the task done, and a little impatient. As Junior High approached, I was more self-conscious about boys and Karen was more confident and had more fun with them. We made new friends in Junior High which was fun. Then my dad was called on a mission and I was gone for all of high school. Karen stayed and had all the Olympus High School experiences. After the mission to Ohio, I came home before going to BYU. My friendship with Karen was renewed before college began and I was home for a month or two. We became closer again going on a few outings and to Bridal Veil Falls for dances. When I left for college, I would see her on the weekends I would travel from Provo to Salt Lake and we would enjoy each other. We would get together with many of the Junior High/High School friends, too. Karen loved dances and brought me to those often. It was fun. She met her Dave at one of those dances and they became a couple and were married! I was honored to be her bridesmaid. In fact, my Dave drove me to Salt Lake for the wedding and reception, and that was the beginning of our relationship:). And it was the beginning of the DAVE group (5 of us married Daves). Karen, me, Melodie, Martha, Auralee. Over the married years, we have gotten together a few times and always enjoy being together. As our parents age, we are getting them together also! I love Karen for her sweetness and love. I feel very loved and accepted, as she has known me all my life! She is one I CHOSE as my sister.