Karimarie Sleeseman

Alice’ Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 English children’s novel by Lewis Carrol. Within the story there are many characters besides Alice. There is Mr. Rabbit, Hatter or better known by us as the Mad Hatter. There is the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts, just to name a few. The trip that Alice goes through takes her on an adventure where she encounters fabulous creatures that defy all reasonable expectations. Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, let’s take a similar journey this evening but not one of make believe but of one where we will share the adventures and life of one who is most dear to our hearts, Karimarie Sleeseman.

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Chad Johnson, and it is my honor and privilege to be your Celebrant this evening as we look back on the wondrous life of Karimarie. We join our hearts together in support of her mother Linda and her family members. We know that being here this evening is one of the most difficult things that each one of us must do. Tonight, we are here not only for her mother and her family but for each other. We are here to support each other. Let’s begin this evening with a prayer asking God to be here and provide us with his love and comfort.

O God, this evening we cry to Thee. Help us to pray and to concentrate our thoughts on Thee: we cannot do this alone. Within you there is light. We are lonely, but Thou does not leave us. We are feeble in heart, but with Thee there is help. We are restless, but with Thee there is peace. In us there is bitterness, but with Thee there is patience. We do not understand your ways, but Thou knowest the way for us... Restore us to liberty and enable us so to live now that we may answer before Thee. Lord, whatever this day may bring, your name be praised. Amen.

Hopefully all of you have had a chance to take a moment and look at the Life Story here and the one in our Harmony venue that was designed especially for Karimarie’s Celebration of Life this evening. The themes, the personal items and the focus is on her this evening. As for us, this is our safe place where we can share our memories, our love about Karimarie and laugh and cry.

Washington Irving said “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of over whelming grief…and unspeakable love.”

Tonight, I will be sharing along with some of you, Karimarie’s story. Who she was, her accomplishments, her hopes and passions and the legacy she has left behind. We will do this through quotes, poems, music and your words. We will give some of you a chance this evening to come and share a brief memory or story that is dear to your heart.

Let’s take a moment and go back in time and listen to one of Karimarie’s favorite Artist’s Lisa Lisa sing “Kiss Your Tears Away”.

It all began exactly 51 years ago today. Yes, today July 15th, 1974, is Karimarie’s birthday. So lets take a moment and sing Happy Birthday to Kariemarie. She was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico on the military base. She is one of those Military Brat’s that we all talk about. But that only lasted for a short time until her mom and Dad moved here to the Valley when she was 4 years old. She was an only child and if you think that she was spoiled, then you are exactly right. She was spoiled. Maybe that’s what made her so special and loved by everyone she encountered.

As a child growing up in this world is never an easy thing. There are always lessons, the hard knocks of life and challenges that we face. Every family has struggles and Karimarie was no exception. In her childhood years she experienced some of those struggles, and although they were very difficult, she learned that time can heal those hurt feelings.

Regarding education, Ellen Ochoa one said “I tell students that the opportunities I had were a result of having a good educational background. Education is what allows you to stand out.”

Kariemarie is one of those individuals who stood out. Part of Karimarie’s growing up was focused on her education. She did very well in school. Some children, teenagers and even adult’s struggle with school or learning but for Karimarie she excelled in school. Good grades were never a problem. She always did well. She reached her goal of graduating from Barry Goldwater high school. Shortly after she graduated, she married in 1994.

One of Karimarie’s favorite things was her love for Disneyland and the many characters that over the many years had been created by Disney. Her love for the Princesses is almost unbelievable but one could look at her tattoos and you’d know one of the many things that meant to the world to her. Princesses and butterflies.

Song- “A Whole New World”

One of her favorite spots to travel was California and spending time at Disneyland, the beach, San Diego, Magic Mountain and Sea World. Any of the amusement parks she loved to spend time at and truly loved the roller coasters, especially if she was riding in the front seat.

Kerimarie loved the characters of Jack and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas. And we can’t forget Beattle Juice. It wasn’t just scary things but sometimes the excitement, the thrill and the adventure that excited her. She loved traveling to unique places that seemed to have a reputation of being haunted. Jerome, the old Grand Hotel, Prescott’s Hassayampa Inn, or locations in Flagstaff like the Hotel Monte Vista were a place they loved to stay at. Spooky, creepy or exciting. On a particular occasion, while traveling up North towards Greer, up on the rim, they were delayed due to an accident. They were in their nieces Tacoma and another driver on the road told them he knew a short cut to get around the accident and avoid the delay. They decided to follow him and soon realized they were on the bumpiest road they had ever been on. Following this guy took them on a 5-mile journey on dirty bumpy backroads before they got back to pavement.

Any place they could find brought joy and smile to her face. Friends, family and work brought her joy in all she did. Karimarie was active in volleyball as a young girl and other sports. Most recently she became very involved in Kickboxing. I don’t believe she enjoyed taking a punch or being kicked but I’m pretty sure she loved to dish it out. The more she worked out and practiced the better she got. As she succeeded, she was awarded with belts that showed she could kick your butt. She didn’t stop there but she enjoyed working out and was pleased with the muscle she had put on. Karimarie wasn’t a mean butt kicking girl but, she had that Disney Princess side to her also. There was that famine side to her when she loved to dress up, go and get her nails done, comb and fix her hair and then of course taking time to apply cosmetics just right. This is what she loved.

The other soft side to Karimarie involved her love for animals, all animals. Her love for her Dachshund, Chihuahua, Shih tzu were the biggest part of her world. I believe that if she could have had her choice, she would have included Jack Skellington’s dog Zero on her want list. But I’d bet her dog Bella is still at the top of her list.

We want to take some time now to open up the mic and invite a few of those who would like to share a brief memory of Karimarie to come up and do that. Please come to the mic so everyone can hear. We’re going to ask you to keep it brief.

Open Mic –

Thank you for sharing. I’d like to invite Linda to come and share for a moment.

If Karimarie were to share a last though for you, I believe she would say, “With my passing there may be mixed feelings. There may be sorrow or anger but those who know me, know that I’m at peace. Although I’m gone, I have never left. Although I cannot speak or be seen, I can listen, and I can be heard. So, as you stand in a vast forest, gazing at the stars, remember me. Remember me in your heart and in your thoughts. Remember the memories of the times we loved and shared. For if you always think of me, I will have never gone.”

Song – “Purple Rain”

Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” As we leave here tonight, let us remember in the days, months and years to come the love Karimarie had. Remember her legacy and the way she touched each of your hearts. You see her in her favorite color of purple. You see her in the ways she smiled and laughed. Her light will go on through you. It is said that no one dies until they are forgotten.

Please bow your heads for prayer.

Dear God, we are grateful for the opportunities we have been given to know Karimarie and the many ways she has touch our lives. For her sweet smile and dedication. Help us to further her legacy and show the kindness she expressed to those we meet. Please bring this family comfort and understanding and wrap them in your loving arms. Lift them up and strengthen them through the trial they are going through. We pray in Christ name, amen.

GRAVESIDE SERVICES

We come together to honor the life that Karimarie lived. She shared her love and smile and created beauty in all she touched. We come to lay her to rest, to bid her a fond farewell, to acknowledge the pain of loss and the days of grief that lay ahead for the family and friends, and to hallow this ground.

From this time on, this land will be sacred to you. For it is here that your loved one, Karimarie, returns to the earth from which we all came and that she so dearly loved. It is here that generations to come will find a connection, a loop or tie to their roots. They will come here and feel the sense of belonging to a greater force called family. It is here that many will come to feel the presence and the love shared in life. Some will come often. Others may come only on rare occasions, but all who come will be blessed. It is here that we show honor to the memories of a life that touched us and remains alive in our hearts.

Join with me in the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done on earth

As it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

We hallow this ground by this Holy Water on the grave and her casket blessing her and this sacred place until the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We represent our love for Karimarie by pledging to remember and honor Kariemarie for as long as we live.

Bow your heads for God's blessing.

Oh God, as we depart this day, please bless us with thy healing power. Bless all those here today to stand strong and remember the laughter, the smiles and the gentle touch that Karimarie has left for us. Help our tears to be joyful and always remember Karimarie as we live our lives. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, Amen.