There is no very good way to wind this down

Dear all,

Those closest to the family know that we are winding down as we get towards the holidays. Brooke and Karen's respective families are taking care of their estates and dealing with all that that entails. We are all finding new ways to deal with the holiday season that is missing two very special people.

Suffice to say, this blog has been a learning experience for us in how to manage a major life event with so many caring people wanting to be involved. It has allowed us to get in touch, share memories, coordinate memorial services, and to some degree measure what kind of impact Karen and Brooke had on our lives.

At the moment, I don't know how much longer I will continue to update this blog. Though it has been indispensable in coordinating with far flung friends and family, it must have its proper end as well.

This may not be the last post, but then again who knows, it might. Simply put, the blog isn't going anywhere for the foreseeable future, as I envision it as an online memorial to them. But like real-world memorials, it will probably be visited more occasionally around special anniversaries, and when we all feel the need to remember.

Keep in touch, everyone.

The Washington Post Obituaries for Karen and Brooke

You may read the individual obituaries for Karen and Brooke on the Washington Post website.

A colleague and friend of Brookes wrote a nice column on her blog

Carole Sargent, a colleague and friend of Brookes from the National Press Club wrote a lovely entry on her blog. You may read it here.

Memorial service for Karen Dodds (and Brooke) set for DC area on Nov. 10th

The memorial service for Karen Dodds will be Saturday, November 10th, at 11:00 AM, at Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St., NE, Washington.

I will post more details as they become available from Kathleen. As you may have attended the service for Brooke several weeks ago, service is being held primarily in Karen's memory.

There will not be an elaborate reception after this service, though we may have some light refreshments.