Karen Smith celebrates 50th birthday
Published:Sunday | September 12, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU: Talented choreographer, make-up artist and entertainment guru Weston Haughton arrived at birthday girl, songstress Karen Smith's, villa at Half Moon with five balloons depicting the colours of the rainbow last Sunday.
"Like a rainbow is how God created Karen - yellow, because she is as beautiful as the sunshine; red, for the passion in her work; green, depicting everything fresh; orange, because she is a true Jamaican talent; and pink, for the pretty in her," said Haughton, as he presented the bunch of balloons to his friend on her 50th birthday.
Smith's birthday celebration was unique, as the soul-stirring, big-hearted singer selected the special guests, including her four best friends from high school, university and first job, husband Jackie Jackson, daughter Courtni, mother Barbara Smith and aunt and uncle, to share the occasion with.
The celebration started on Friday, September 3, when Smith and friends, attorney-at-law Dawn Craig, Dr Georgia Salmon-Radvany, banker Everly Hines-Clarke and Trinidadian insurance agency operator, Sabrina Paul, checked into Villa 85 at the elegant Montego Bay resort.
By Sunday afternoon, the five were joined by the rest of Smith's family for the actual birthday, September 5.
"It was on a Sunday morning that Karen was born, at St Joseph's Hospital; her dad wanted a boy at the time," mom Barbara Smith reminisced, adding that her daughter has not disappointed her. "I am fortunate," stated the former Montego Bay High School principal.
Smith's 15-year-old daughter Courtni Jackson borrowed Andy Williams' May Each Day song to serenade her mom, stating with conviction soon after, "Daddy is happy to have a wife like her for 21 years of marriage."
When Smith, a woman of great humility, spoke, she used the phrase, "privileged to be born, privileged for life, and forever grateful to a mother who has made so much sacrifice". She said husband Jackie had found the way to her heart through music.
The Sunday afternoon event was also attended by Smith's aunt and uncle, Joy and Levi McGregor.