Karen Callahan:
CLASS OF 1974
Cass Technical High SchoolClass of 1974
Detroit, MI
Munger Junior High SchoolClass of 1970
Detroit, MI
Priest Elementary SchoolClass of 1968
Detroit, MI
Karen's Story
Life
I wasn't the popular kid, or even the happiest kid growing up. I hid in my books and music, and didn't really come into my own until I was in high school and joined the R.O.T.C.
I would love to reconnect with the following teachers who really made a difference to me:
Mr. Stacey (Band at Priest Elementary)
Mr. Sneed (Science at Priest)
Mrs. Unis (homeroom at Priest)
Ms. Baggott (homeroom at Munger Jr. High)
Mrs. Jocketty (Russian at Munger)
My biggest regret is that I never got a chance to tell Mrs. Petitpren, my first grade teacher at Vandenberg Elementary, just how much she meant to me. She was the first teacher I called "mom" by accident and wishful thinking.
My Spouse
I met my husband, Don, in Pensacola in 1976. We were both attending classes for our jobs with the U.S. Navy. If I hadn't joined the Navy, I never would have met him - his family is from way upstate New York.
My Kids
Barry was born in Misawa Japan while both his father and I were in the Navy. A true military brat, he's lived in Asia, Puerto Rico and several places in the states. He is married to a wonderful girl that he met while attending University of Missouri.
I'm a grandma! Alexander Dylan arrived June 13, 2008 - 3 months early at one pound 7 ounces and 12 1/4 inches long.
It's been a long haul for him, but Alex came home for good at nine months (just in time for Easter). He's continuing to grow and is a source of joy that I had never expected. The 'terrible twos' were interesting, but his approach to them was pure Alex. When his therapist told him "Well, if you don't want to do anything, I guess I'll leave!" He signed "GREAT" and immediately performed the task that she wanted him to do. (The Mommy's Curse appears to be working just fine, thank you!)
We have a grand daughter! Bethany Rose arrived at 28 weeks. She was a total surprise baby, and a 'whopping' 2 pounds, 14 inches. She came home after five months in the NICU, and then had to go back in when she came down with a rather nasty virus. Since then, she's had a helicopter ride to CS Mott, and is pretty unfazed by most things. She's a little diva, as a tiny newborn she managed to get her thumbs up under her cap to try and remove it! Obviously, it didn't go with her outfit. :-)
How time flies! Alex is now a healthy 7 year old, and entering first grade. He still has a few issues, but continues to be bright, sassy, and total mountain goat. He loves to climb and swim, and has discovered the hard way that he can't fly when launched from a swing set. Miss B is a lovely little 4 year old, and goes to nursery school. She loves to dance, and composes long story lists with her talking I Pad. W
Barry works for a computer company as their software designer. His company equipment is used in measuring BMI and other levels in the body. Interestingly enough, he helped fine tune one of the pieces of equipment use on the kids' in NICU. Janet is still working as a mechanical engineer at Ford. Between appointments, errands, work, and outside interests (Janet is an advocate for medically fragile kids, and also with Native American rights and issues. Add in OUR work and responsibilities, and you can see why we don't get to see f them that often, but they're all in our thoughts and prayers constantly.
My Job
I'm a Library Assistant, specializing in technical services and circulation. I'm responsible for processing and cataloging new materials before they go ...Expand for more
out for the public. I also repackage and repair items that have been "over loved" or misused by patrons.
9/12/2017 I am no longer working. I've been in constant pain for many years, and everything snowballed. From minor twinges, to pain on a scale that covers over everything in a barbed-wire hurt when I stand or sit for any length of time. Fibromyalgia. Latin for this is gonna take over most of your life, so you can just kiss it goodbye. I'm currently in limbo awaiting my appeal hearing for Social Security disability.
Newest news:
We've bought land! 5 acres of wooded property out in the boonies, but near highway and main roads. We're now looking at house plans, and agreeing on one is going to take some time! (8/11/15) Due to unforseen problems the last two years, we've postponed starting until next year. We have a plan, and have started deciding on finishes. It's going to be a help-you-build.
I'd been having alot of pain and difficulty moving, and my doc sent me to an orthopedist. After doing two x-rays, he came in and said, "I had to look twice at the name on the plates - I had no idea that BOTH knees were this bad!" Two week later (1/12/11) I became the proud owner of a total knee replacement on the left leg. The right knee was replaced a year later (1/11/12). I'd been told that it can take up to 18 months to achieve better-than-old normal, and I can attest to that. While I wish that I never had to undergo such a drastic operation, I'm grateful to be able to move with less pain.
8/11/2015 It HAS been a while since I've been here, and I wish I had something good to relate. My younger brother Karl passed away July 14 of congestive heart failure at the age of 55. He'd had problems with health most of his life, and managed to hang on to life with everything he had 23 years longer than the doctors had given him odds on. Rest in Peace, Karl... I miss you. (If anyone reads this and remembers Karl, please drop Mom or me a note.
9/12/2017 Another year passes, more is lost than found. After Karl passed away, my mom just seemed to shatter. She began forgetting things - how to fill up the car, directions, even the little things like who called. After undergoing a thorough neurological exam she was diagnosed with the beginnings of dementia. Not exactly Alzheimer, but not exactly meeting all criteria for any other. There was no way that she could continue to live in the home she shared with Karl for more than 20 years. With much debate and searching, it was decided to move her to Chicago and into a Brookdale home. She is still her core-self, curious and friendly, but she has been losing time. So you have the same conversation every time we/she calls, she writes down important things... only to repeat the same ask, write down over and over. It hurts that she will one day not remember who I am, and won't remember she's "Nana Pat" . Deep down inside, I am afraid that hers is the future I have to look forward to.
2020 We've moved in! After many delays between inspections, paperwork, and COVID, we finally moved in. It's taking a while to get used to living on one floor (no wet basements!) and to remember where we've placed everything. It's amazing how much shtuff accumulates in 40+ years.
2021 is now almost half over. The grandkids are still thriving, Alex is now in Jr. High (or will be once school gets stabilized). Bethany is continuing her search for the perfect outfit.
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