Inspiring Women Magazine May 2023

In early 2018, soon after we
moved to North Carolina, Saskia’s
intermittent migraines turned
chronic and severe. As a
pediatrician, I felt like I should be
able to make her well. Guilt and
doubt plagued me. I’ve learned
to ramp up my own self-care,
spiritual practices and ability to
tolerate uncertainty. I still want
her pain to go away, but I am
grateful for the ways in which
these experiences have
strengthened our resiliency.
What goodbyes do you anticipate for you in
the next two years?
How do you feel about them?
Answering these questions inspired me to
call my parents, initially to ask for the photo
above. I found myself expressing my love and
gratitude for their presence in my life and their
relative good health. I know that they will pass
(though hopefully not in the next two years!),
and I hope to be present and supportive, no
matter what challenges these next several
years bring.
Karen celebrating her third birthday with
her grandmother. (above)
From Amsterdam times, family outing to
the Keukenhof Gardens (below)
Karen with their dog Audrey (top right)
2009 trip with Paula Lucas for a Pathways
training (bottom right)
If all goes well, both Saskia and Anneke will
graduate in May 2024, and head to college. I
have conflicting feelings about this; I will miss
them dearly, and I can’t help but worry about
Saskia’s health, but I am excited to see where
their journeys will take them.
What new beginnings do you see for yourself
in the next two years?
How do you feel about these?
Hopefully no more moves! After living no
more than four years in any one place since high
school, I’ve been celebrating reaching the five
year mark here! Saskia and I have been
training our Vizsla as a therapy dog, and I am
really excited to get started bringing her to the
local library to help shy readers. I am also
cultivating ideas about supporting other
parents of chronically ill children, teens and
young adults; this may be through a new
practice opportunity, a non-profit, writing a
book, or some other avenue, but I feel inspired
and hopeful about this goal.
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