It is with a very heavy heart that I make this post on AP.
My darling wife of 38 years, Karen, passed away on the 24th August. Karen & I were soulmates from a very early age, meeting when she was 16 and I was 19.
Karen really was "the girl next door". We were together for a total of 40 years as we dated for two years before marrying (the first time). We were poor in
those early days and so had a registry office wedding in Brisbane - later in life, 17 years to the day, we were more flush and so I organised a surprise wedding
for us with all the trimmings that we missed out on the first time around.
Karen was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer about three years ago and she did many things to change her lifestyle including diet and investigated numerous other
avenues.
Sadly nothing suceeded in the end as the cancer spread to her liver and she went downhill fast after that. Fortunately she didn't suffer and really only the last month
was where she faded fast. Grant, our son and only child, was with her right until the last moments but I was stuck in transit and found out when I arrived in Brisbane that
Karen had passed away.
It was fortunate that we had spent the previous couple of weeks together in the factory in Shenzhen, it was time I will always remember fondly.
We certianly did not have the perfect marriage, who does? We did however know each other exceptionally well and were both able to forgive each others weaknesses and
concentrate on the positives. I miss the daily talks I had with Karen already.
Karen left very specific instructions for her funeral (see her letter below) and I'm pleased to say Grant & I managed to comply, and I think even improve, on her wishes
by having a celebration of her life at our home in Kuranda.
Things move on no matter if we like it or not so the factory is working full steam ahead, just as Karen would have insisted! Without Karen's help and guidance,
Homepin, and the Homepin factory would not exist!
I put some pictures here for those interested and I do ask that those who wish me harm refrain from being insulting or making any negative comments, in jest or otherwise,
under the circumstances, thank you in advance.
Mike Kalinowski
Our first date - Karen is 16 and I am 19
Our first and second weddings
Karen and I in the Homepin Shenzhen factory about a year ago
Myself, Karen and Gary about three months ago (Karen was rushed to hospital after this picture was taken)
Grant & Karen around the campfire at our Kuranda home a few years back
The tribute as requested by her - with lots of flowers!
(we took all of the flowers to the palliative care unit of the Mareeba hospital the following day - this is where Karen was cared for in her final days)
Karen's very specific instructions - in her own hand.
