But I am pretty good with computer stuff, if not all social media options (I'm still a neophyte on Twitter and Instagram and can't imagine having anything to add to TikTok).
I thought I understood most commonly used vernacular, until a friend (much cooler than I, no doubt) told me recently she was called a Karen.
I had no idea what she meant. None. She had to explain.
And then I googled it.
Karen is a mocking slang term for an entitled, irritable middle-aged white woman.
But this post is not about that Karen. It's about another one —whose only shared characteristic with that Karen is middle-aged white woman.
The city where I grew up had four junior high schools: West (where I went), East, North and South.
All the junior highs merged into one high school (about 1,000 students per class). My cousin Karen (East Jr. High) and I both attended.
I pretty much stayed with my friends from junior high and I assumed that Karen did the same. We both were members of the Honor Society. And if I recall correctly, Karen's long hair was genuine, while mine was not (I was wearing what-was-then called a fall).
Other than that, if I thought about it all, I assumed that the last name we shared was our only other similarity.
My paternal grandfather and Karen's father were brothers. I don't remember any family get-togethers, though I do remember visiting her home a few times. But that was mostly for my dad to see his uncle and his two aunts who lived upstairs with a cat who could open totally-shut doors.
High school graduation marked the end of what little relationship we had.
In March 2017 I got a nice email from Karen wishing me a happy birthday. That may have been our first communication since high school.
Now we regularly communicate. And I've learned a lot about her.
She's been married for a long time to a guy who sounds great. They have two grown-up kids. She is highly accomplished (a HS counselor dealing with behavioral issues, and later a college professor).
But more than what she does, or has done, I love her sense of humor. She is also sincere, smart and self-effacing. She is open to letting me into her life, but also incredibly thoughtful. For example, it wasn't until I expressed my views on Trump did she even bring up her feelings on the subject, which are totally in sync with mine.
Karen remembers things about my life (backpacking through Europe, a broken leg from skiing, and hitchhiking on the Cape) I didn't even know she knew.
I think of all the experiences we could have shared but didn't.
And have no doubt that one day we will meet. I also have no doubt that the friendship we started a bit late will endure.
I am so grateful to have this Karen in my life.
Other than that, if I thought about it all, I assumed that the last name we shared was our only other similarity.
My paternal grandfather and Karen's father were brothers. I don't remember any family get-togethers, though I do remember visiting her home a few times. But that was mostly for my dad to see his uncle and his two aunts who lived upstairs with a cat who could open totally-shut doors.
High school graduation marked the end of what little relationship we had.
In March 2017 I got a nice email from Karen wishing me a happy birthday. That may have been our first communication since high school.
Now we regularly communicate. And I've learned a lot about her.
She's been married for a long time to a guy who sounds great. They have two grown-up kids. She is highly accomplished (a HS counselor dealing with behavioral issues, and later a college professor).
But more than what she does, or has done, I love her sense of humor. She is also sincere, smart and self-effacing. She is open to letting me into her life, but also incredibly thoughtful. For example, it wasn't until I expressed my views on Trump did she even bring up her feelings on the subject, which are totally in sync with mine.
Karen remembers things about my life (backpacking through Europe, a broken leg from skiing, and hitchhiking on the Cape) I didn't even know she knew.
I think of all the experiences we could have shared but didn't.
And have no doubt that one day we will meet. I also have no doubt that the friendship we started a bit late will endure.
I am so grateful to have this Karen in my life.
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