The Autobiography of Karen
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On March 21, we gave my little granddaughter Crystal. If you don’t remember Crystal, she is the grand-child who survived that awful fire back in 1990. Well, we were all so busy with decorations, and blowing up balloons, the time passed us by and our little guest started to arrive. There were so many children, and they were coming so fast, that I couldn't keep up with them, so I thought until some of my chaperones arrived, I would let them get in the pool, so that I could keep an eye on them. There was this one little girl that got in the pool, and was not given permission by her mother to get in the water. So, when I asked her did her mother say she could, She immediately got out of the water, and ran towards my master bathroom, dripping water all over my kitchen floor. I tried to go after her with a towel, and tell her to put her wet clothes in the dryer, but before I could get to her, I slipped in the water that she was dripping on floor. At first I could not believe that I heard my ankle bone break, but I did. It wasn't just broken, but completely shattered. The ambulance ride, the hospital stay, and the reconstructive surgery that I faced, was nothing compared to the hours, and hours of excruciating pain and agony that I felt. I was told by my doctor that there was a possibility that I would never be able to have complete use of my leg, and that I would need to be put in a wheel chair, along with extensive rehabilitation. The doctors told me that my ankle was completely crushed, and the plate and the nine screws, were going to constrict my ability to walk. He said that this rehabilitation would last about one year, and then there was no guarantee of ever being able to walk without a noticeable limp. I could except the pain, and the suffering that I was going through, but, I wasn't going to accept the fact that I could end up in a wheel chair for any length of time. I guess by now, after all that I have been through, you know that I was not the type of person that would be a prisoner to a wheel chair. And I did not believe that my God would leave me there. Let me just say that I went through something that I would not wish on my worse enemy, but every trail has a solution. While I was living in that chair, I woke up one morning in excruciating pain, and I started to pray for a release: I prayed for relief: I prayed for healing of my ankle, which was swollen, the stitches were causing inflammation, my foot was turning black, and my toes were numb: my leg had no muscle, and it looked like a stick with no shape. I became addicted to the medication I was on: My morale was starting to sink, I felt very incompetent of my womanhood. I was dependant upon everyone, I could not even go to the bathroom, alone I had to "go" in a bed pan, and then someone had to come and empty it for me: I was able to wash my self, but someone had to bring me everything that I needed to do so, and then rinse it out and bring it back. My family was very good to me, and took very good care of me, but it’s not the same when you are use to doing for yourself, and even doing for everyone else. Needless to say, I knew that God was near, but at a time like that, you don’t think about God being near, you think about Him doing something right now. I learned then, that God will do His will, In his time and not our time, but He will do it according to the purpose in which He designed it.
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About the Book
The title says it all. This is a unique individual. This is a unique writing. We have all read and heard tales of abuse, violence, and gloom from individuals later in life. Many write for glory, some for the release of pain, and others write to help the afflicted on the journey. Here is one who writes for the salvation of the lost and the assurance of the saved. Karen is a powerful tale of interwoven truth with spiritual imperatives.
About the Author
"I wish I could protect all children from the hurt and danger that was inflicted upon me as a child. I see this same hurt in the eyes of the many children I meet daily, and I pray for a change." Karen Y. Peoples can be described as "A SURVIVOR" or better yet as "MORE THAN A CONQUEROR." This book depicts her children and subsequent womanhood and supports her claim as a person who continues to beat the odds and shows how she accomplished such by the mighty hands of God. At forty-seven years of age, she is the mother of five daughters, one son, and "thirteen" grandchildren. She is married to Minister Oliver J. Peoples, and they both are from Detroit, Michigan, and now reside in Orlando, Florida. Karen being a retired Paramedic and her husband a retired firefighter, respectively, Karen is multi-faceted and recently completed Nursing School, but decided to put off a career in this field until "moved" to proceed. An accomplished musician, songwriter, playwright, professional comedian, and she has written and produced many Gospel recordings and monologues. As put in her own words, "I have a tremendous love for music and before I totally dedicated my life and talents to serving God, I performed with the best of the Motown family." Karen was the opening act for such greats as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Smokey Robinson, The O’Jays, Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye, The Floaters, and many more. In addition to singing, Karen opened many shows for great artist, as a "Stand-up Comedian", were she professionally impersonated the Late great, Jackie "MOMS" Mabley. Outside of the music industry, she has worked in doctor’s offices, funeral homes, hospitals, and she has also worked as a rape counselor for the Detroit Police Department. Karen has been nominated for "BEST CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR," which came as a surprise to her, but in March 2002, she attended this royal affair, looking to win. How does all of this relate to this book? Keep reading and you will see how her background and childhood brings her to the new distinction as an author. Her commitment to her calling led Karen to her current pursuit of a double degree in Evangelism and Christian-Counseling, and has completed her training as a licensed Evangelist and Certified Counselor in June of 2001. On June 9th, she received her Associates degree in Theology. Karen’s personal life experiences as a child, a Christian, young adult, a wife, a mother, an artist, along with life on the streets of Detroit as a Paramedic, and victim of abuse serve as inspiration to write her autobiography. Many who have been subjected to the happenings outlined in this book have been scarred for life, and filled with hatred and animosity. Not Karen, she has been blessed to have compassion for everyone, and she holds everyone close to her heart, and has reached out to others who have a similar story. It is for this reason this autobiography is written, to minister to the many young "Karen’s" that she sees daily; yet they secretly hide their pain and hurt, just as she did. Even their closest relatives don’t recognize the signs of abuse, but Karen Peoples sees it in churches, choirs, schools, prisons, and even on the streets. Through it all, this book is a testimony of the power of God in her life, and how HE brought her through and delivered her from the past, to a present life of unspeakable joy. There can be a "Karen" present in your household or neighborhood or church, and you simply don’t recognize her. I pray God’s blessings upon you as you read the story of my life.