Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

Karen

Album: Gold Audio 03: Heroes

Episode: 50

Lesson/Theme: Dealing with death.

Bible Verse: Psalm 23

Characters: Donna, Mary, Connie, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: November 26, 1988

Last Air Date: March 19, 2008

Description:
A group of kids at Whit's End disclose the topic of the hour: Young, vivacious, outgoing Karen Crosby has cancer. It's in her leg bone, and it's spreading. Whit and Donna Barclay, Karen's best friend, are on their way to see her in the hospital. Donna is nervous before entering, but a quick prayer and encouragement from Whit see her through the visit. Karen is surprisingly chipper. She's cheered when Donna tells her that everyone misses her, especially Fergeson, her cat, which Donna is watching. After a brief visit, a nurse enters and announces that visiting hours have ended. Whit and Donna start to go, but Karen calls Donna back. Karen tells Donna to make sure the school saves her a place in the Fall Festival program. Donna agrees. At school three days later, she persuades the organizers of the program to keep Karen's spot open. That afternoon Donna goes to the hospital to deliver the news. She is met by Karen's mom, Mary. Mary sits Donna down and tells Donna that Karen had an operation earlier that morning. The cancer was worse than anyone thought, and the doctors had to amputate Karen's leg to stop the cancer from spreading. A few days later, Donna visits Karen, who seems to be in better spirits than ever. Karen tells Donna about an incredible dream she had during the operation: She saw Jesus, and He was healing people. There were several people whom He didn't heal, and when they asked Him to heal them, Jesus said, "I have something better for you." Then He turned to Karen and said, "I have something better for you, too." Karen says there's a good chance she'll be released soon, to appear in the Fall Festival. She has something special planned. The following week at the Festival, Karen doesn't disappoint. She hobbles on stage on crutches and recites the words of a special hymn. A few days later, Donna bursts into Whit's End in a panic-Fergeson the cat has run away! Fortunately, Karen, very weakened, takes it all in stride. She's sure Fergeson will return-just as Karen's sure she will die soon. Donna can't bear to hear that, but Karen comforts her that one day, they'll both be together again in heaven. A week later, Donna sits by herself in the Bible Room, thinking about Karen, who has just passed away. Whit enters, and they discuss Karen's funeral. Whit offers comfort from Scripture. This helps lift Donna's spirits, but she's still afraid she'll eventually forget her friend. Just then, Connie enters, bearing a special package: Fergeson the cat has returned. Cheered by the presence of the cat and the hope of Jesus, Donna now knows she will never forget Karen.

Questions:
How could Karen be so peaceful about her illness? In Karen's dream, what did Jesus mean when He said He had something better for her? Why shouldn't Christians fear death and the grave?