I did it my way.

Lately so much has been happening to make me really realize that I am getting old.
Me? Old?  They say age is only a number but there really does come a time when you see "times are a changin".
So many of my family and friends are facing issues of their own, it is hard to see this and know it is around the corner for all of us, all to soon.
I miss the times of my friends.
I miss my children, small and wanting to be with me.
I miss my sister.
I miss my girlfriend Linda.
But I have never been one to give up, just stand up Linda and keep moving, quote from Dad.
I am doing this.
Trying to still find things to do that make me happy.
I read, crochet, sew and it just is not enough.
Circumstances have made it impossible for us to travel,
but I can handle that.  We find enough things to do that we do together without much cost.
We go to antique stores, we have a dog who we adore, we live for the times spent with our kids,
we go to museums and different events.
Someone told me once I was a jealous person,
that hurt me,
I am not
If I was I would truly be unhappy.
Simple things make me happy,
when a room is painted, a ride, looking at the water,
a beautiful sunrise, sunset, my children, a good book.
God has been good to me, he helped me accomplish what I truly wanted to do for my children, and I finely found the man in my life that is true, loving and kind to me.
What else do I need?
A person would not be lying to say that they wish their "bucket list" would have had some times but "our fate is in our stars"
and I accept that.
I have truly enjoyed reconnecting with some old school friends, made me remember my times as a teenager were truly great, and it is because of them that this happened
Now as I lean into the sunset, I set my sights on peace and joy in Jerry and my lives.  Not riches, just happiness and love.

What if.......

There is no one that is not touched by bad times,
There is no one that has not felt lonely,
There is no one that has not felt sad,
There is no one that has not felt helpless,
There is no one that has not felt hopeless,
There is no way anyone can understand unless you feel so much pain yourself,
how these feeling make you want an escape,
a rest, a relief, someone to understand, courage, something to just make  it  stop.
How sad that drugs can do this
How sad that they get out of control
How sad that no one is safe
We all want to fit, we all want to feel calm
but we do not want to die.
There have been people in my life that I still say to myself,  what if I did this, or what if I would have called,
but I guess this is part of the sadness of it all
Drugs win, whether it is heroin, cocaine, weed, alcohol, cigarettes
They win
We lose
husbands, fathers, friends, sisters, brothers, children
We can't judge, we don't know
when you can't cope, when you walk the floor, when you cry, when you  feel like you would do anything,
ANYTHING, to feel better.
What if we could make it stop?






How sad

It's a wonder ful life"

How lfe turns out to be memories, good ones, bad ones, happy ones and sad ones.  This is a favorite of mine.  
My brother and decided one year to have a Summer Olympics and a play.  I do not have to tell you who was in charge of what.  But it was such a great summer, making so many memories.  Everyone on the block of  21st in Wyandotte, participated.  We had sports like basketball, baseball, running races, and not to brag but no one could beat me in running   Tommy Dennis thought he could, he tried, but I won.  Michael, I think won basketball hoops, the Taylor boys were good too. We even had events for the smaller ones.
The Olympics were first, their were medals and prizes and a ceremony. Then we did the play, I can/t remember the play.  But we had a good one, set up chairs, sold tickets.  What a production!  Parents came and watched both events.  They made cookies and helped with whatever else.  We had a special needs boy on our block "Nathan" and he helped with the tickets.  Nathan was special and NO one ever picked on him, he has passed now, but I loved him.
Our parents had us play outside (until the street lights, dinner or if they wanted us) All the neighbors were our parents for a very long time.  Kick ball baseball, red light green light, hide and go tag, such a good time.
Most of them our gone now, the parents, we had 56 children on that street at one time.  The Klosterhouses, McGinnis, Paynes, Keedlys, Talcotts, Gates, Wagner, Brohl, Strub, Keedys again ,  Wolfes, Hurds, Negoskis, Grays, Polona,  Taylor, Herrick, Dennis and Neopolitan. Three kids are gone, Nathan and a Herrick boy, and John Dennis
Just heard yesterday a dear next door neighbor died.  Mr. Payne.  He was my first girlhood crush, always had a nice word, and even carried a screaming me into the house after I was hit by a speeding bike.  (I still have the scar) 
Everyone cared.  I was called a Pollyanna this week for some of my views of today.  Oh well, maybe so, but what is wrong with wanting people to care, to get along,  to have no judgement, to be equal?  It can happen, what happened to working things out like little or big adults?
Never, would I say things in my house about a President the way he is disrespected.  He is a man, like us, and I am not ashamed to say it.
My daughter lives in my family home, and my Aunt Reggie just died.  The family still owns the home.
Good honest values are still here, people still care, love, and want the best for this Country.
So bless you all 21st neighbors.  Rest in peace, Mr. Harvey Payne, and be happy with your childhood sweetheart again. 
Stephen King.  "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve, Jesus, does anyone?"

Paper for Church on Mothers Day

Unconditional Love

Let us close our eyes and pray or reflect together.

Dear Lord: Thank you for the wonderful gift of Mothers. You knew there had to be special angels here to watch over us so you made the wonderful person known as Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy or Ma! Mother who are mothers in our hearts, maybe through friendship or special to us.

Bless them all and keep them in your heart and their families hearts today:

Bless them for all the have done, all they will do and

always with unconditional love.

　

Unconditional Love is pure absolute love, no conditions, no terms,only love, the strongest, fierest love their is. Many of us here today have lost their Mothers, help them today. Many of us today still have their Mothers, know how lucky you are and rejoice in this day and every day you have with them.

We can all look back at so many times in our lives that we had with our Moms. Baking, shopping, laughing, crying, many special memories that we all have of different kinds. We all say I am not going to be like that when I am a mother, but one day you look in the mirror and there you are, your Mother. And you wish with all your heart you could see her just one, even just one more time.

(share Erins poem)

One special Mothers day this is what I got from Erin and Devin, they were about 11 and 5, She did not have money, but she had love: this is what she wrote.

And that is what it is all about. devotion and kindness,overprotection, the need to always want to make things right. the strength to let go. Our children and we ourselves remember many moments. One of mine to share is of my last year in high school, term paper. I picked to write on mentally challenged children. Well, I wrote my paper and when I got it back the teacher had marked an F and said it was plagerism, Oh, I was so upset, I went to the nearest phone and called my Mom. I of course was crying, telling her I was not going to graduate, that I did not plagerize. She came down to the school and informed the teacher that our next door neighbor was challenged and I had been taking care of him since he was a baby, and that there was no way that any of that paper was copied. Because I loved Nathan, and knew he was special. Why did I know that? Because of my Mom. And my children learned the same, we have a mentally challenged girl in our family now, she has lost her mother and father both in the past month, the love our family gives her is with bounds. And her sister is teaching her son the same, Leslie is ours to love and protect. Special

My children will say I was hard on them sometimes, but I had to be. There was only me. Just the three of us muddling along as best we could and we did, amid protests from Erin about clothes, (I thought she would wear black the rest of her life) curfews, friends and Devin about his impulsive, mischievious nature. Skateboarding days, what I knew what I did not know, his time to work days. But we made it and they are strong, caring adults whom I am proud of.

Your Mother, nothiing she will not do for you. Ever. Never. We as children, are in her soul, we as mothers have them in ours.

I have heard that young soldiers, dying on a battlefields will call for their mothers, or older adults when they are leaving this world will talk about Mom, There is nothing that can make us forget anything about them. I made you each a flower today, take it home, put it somewhere and everyonce in a while, look at it and smile, because she is with you now and always will be.

A great gift my mom gave me was love of reading and music.

I would like to share a favorite poem of hers that to me says it all.

The Quiet Man

[Linda's lifetime of love] The Quiet Man







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Life is full of many different people.
Some Loud
Some Silly
Some shy
Some mean
Some kind and some.....
Quiet
That is my man.
There are people who do not know him, that may think he is to unsocial
But that is really not him.  He is just quiet.  Around others.
But to me he talks alot, sometimes a little to much..  But for the most part he is just a simple, hardworking, love your family man.
He reminds me of my Dad sometimes.
He was a quiet man.
They are both good men.  Family men, true to their wife men, thinkers.
Now, I am a thinker too, but I talk.  You had to, growing up with my other family members.  If you ever wanted someone to hear you.  But for the most part, I can be very quiet too.
It is wonderful just to know that someone is there for you that is listening, caring, and loyal.
It is a joy to see him so excited when he knows his son his coming over.
And when his grandson is coming.   He just beams.
Through the years, he has done so many good things for myself and my children.  They never knew it, he did not want them to.  And I know even now that if there is something they need, he will be there.  He is so proud of Erin.  And he gets such a kick out of Devin.
His son, he talks of him with such pride for all he has accomplished and how far he has come.
For myself, for years he has always been there, in the awful times when I know he could have run for the hills, but he did not.  He just suffered in his own quiet way, and stuck with me, and got me through.
We have had so much fun.  Barb and Art, Linda and Chet, El and Dave.  Laughs.  He really does like to laugh.
At our family occasions, he just sits in a lazy boy and listens ( it is impossible to talk if you are not a
Keedy bloodline) but he is so happy just being with his family and watching and enjoying all that is going around him.
He loves our little grandniece Chloe, she makes him so happy because she gives him attention and watches out for him.  She tells me to get out of his chair if I am sitting in it.  She will say "that is Jerrys chair"  and I will have to move.   He plays with her and I can see where a little girl in his life would have been very lucky.
Right now, he is quiet.  We both just lost someone we love very much.  He knows that I am suffering, but he is quiet.  Just watches and waits for me to talk to him, or cry, or be mad.  But he is there.
It is to bad he cannot share all the talent and humor he has with others, but that is just the way he is.
Sometimes his jokes are corny, but for the most part, he really can make me laugh.  And I like to laugh.
So, as I have said,  There are many people in the world.  But I am thankful with all my heart for my
"quiet" man.  I love him so.  To the moon and back.  Forever.

The Quiet Man

Life is full of many different people.
Some Loud
Some Silly
Some shy
Some mean
Some kind and some.....
Quiet
That is my man.
There are people who do not know him, that may think he is to unsocial
But that is really not him.  He is just quiet.  Around others.
But to me he talks alot, sometimes a little to much..  But for the most part he is just a simple, hardworking, love your family man.
He reminds me of my Dad sometimes.
He was a quiet man.
They are both good men.  Family men, true to their wife men, thinkers.
Now, I am a thinker too, but I talk.  You had to, growing up with my other family members.  If you ever wanted someone to hear you.  But for the most part, I can be very quiet too.
It is wonderful just to know that someone is there for you that is listening, caring, and loyal.
It is a joy to see him so excited when he knows his son his coming over.
And when his grandson is coming.   He just beams.
Through the years, he has done so many good things for myself and my children.  They never knew it, he did not want them to.  And I know even now that if there is something they need, he will be there.  He is so proud of Erin.  And he gets such a kick out of Devin.
His son, he talks of him with such pride for all he has accomplished and how far he has come.
For myself, for years he has always been there, in the awful times when I know he could have run for the hills, but he did not.  He just suffered in his own quiet way, and stuck with me, and got me through.
We have had so much fun.  Barb and Art, Linda and Chet, El and Dave.  Laughs.  He really does like to laugh.
At our family occasions, he just sits in a lazy boy and listens ( it is impossible to talk if you are not a
Keedy bloodline) but he is so happy just being with his family and watching and enjoying all that is going around him.
He loves our little grandniece Chloe, she makes him so happy because she gives him attention and watches out for him.  She tells me to get out of his chair if I am sitting in it.  She will say "that is Jerrys chair"  and I will have to move.   He plays with her and I can see where a little girl in his life would have been very lucky.
Right now, he is quiet.  We both just lost someone we love very much.  He knows that I am suffering, but he is quiet.  Just watches and waits for me to talk to him, or cry, or be mad.  But he is there.
It is to bad he cannot share all the talent and humor he has with others, but that is just the way he is.
Sometimes his jokes are corny, but for the most part, he really can make me laugh.  And I like to laugh.
So, as I have said,  There are many people in the world.  But I am thankful with all my heart for my
"quiet" man.  I love him so.  To the moon and back.  Forever.

Amazing Grace

Well, I have written many blogs lately.  Just wanted to share some of the amazing grace my family has shown and endured.

Lets start with my Mom.  She never had much money to spend on us when we were little.  But there was never a Christmas that went by that was not memorable.  She baked, she managed to surprise us all.  She did not complain about money, just was a worrier.  But she had the grace and beauty of  Cardinal, her favorite bird.  Cardinals bring me special joy when I see them, and they always appear, at the most important times.  My cousin died this week, she knew how I would feel.  I the way to her house as we turned the corner, there was one sitting on the fence on her block.  She loved her children, there is no better love.

My Dad, He had the grace of faith.  He did not worry, he never let you know when something was bothering him.  Until the week he died he got down on his knees a prayed beside his bed, before retiring.  He had the best advice, and I always felt safe when he was around.

My Sister, well I have teased on her, but there is no greater love than a sister for a sister.  From the very beginning she has been there for me.  Kindergarden, I was one of the criers.  I believe she was in sixth grade,  I would start to cry, the teacher would call her down and she would settle whatever the problem was.  She always did stick up for me, she did not squeeze my hand that hard (after all, would you want to take a five year old everywhere with you?)  She did not make red marks on her arm.  She also was blamed for many things while we were growing up.  She bought me a book every payday when she started working, she bought me my first bikini.  She opens her heart and home to anyone.  She cannot hurt feelings, if it does happen, she suffers more than the one who's feeling were hurt.  ( I am like that too)  She is always there for people she cares about, and for me, always there at anytime. 

My brother, for his cranky pants manner, I know how much my brother loves me.  I remember playing with him when we were little.  I remember how cute he was and is.  He is very tender hearted, but sometimes has difficulty showing it.  I could call him right now and he would talk to me and listen.  He liked peas.  He is also generous.

My husband, Jerry.  Why did it take so long to find him?  No one knows how kind and funny this man is because he is so quiet.  But he is.  He love wtih all his heart, has been there in bad times, good times and sad times.  My true soul mate.

Linda, my best girlfriend.  Through most of our lives, we have gone through the same things together. We tried to give our children happy times.  Being single without much money is not fun.  But somehow we managed and made some wonderful memories.  I know she is there for me and I for her.
Just this week, during the funeral she knew what was happening to my heart.  She was so kind and good.  She knows what I like, what I do not like and who I love.  She knows I hurt, she knows when I am happy or sad.  She proved that Saturday.

My children Erin and Devin,  I raised them to respect elders, which they do.  They could be fighting mad, but never say something to an elder.  They would rather not say anything at all than to be disrespectful.  They love each other.  They love their Aunt like an extended me.  They love me.
They were good children and they are good adults.  They both have had their share of disappoinments but they struggle, but never quit.  Just like their Grandfather and I told them.  They have good hearts, which to me, is a blessing. 

So, my family, although we are not perfect we do carry the grace of love for one another.  I am blessed they are a part of me.  I was given the very best of luck when it came to family.  I so love them all.  They truly carry Amazing Grace.

Because you loved me.

Excerpt from "What Remains" by Carole Radziwill  A friendship
John Kennedy and Anthony Radziwill are cousins, close cousins, like brothers.  This is about one of the last vists John has with Tony.

"Tonypro" he says quietly and grabs Anthony's hand.  John's shoes are black and shiny.  His bow tie is undone.  His tuxedo looks comical in the yellow lights of the ICU.
He begins humming, and then there are words.  We can barely hear him, but Anthony does, and he smiles.  His eyes are stll closed, but they seem more relaxed when he smiles, and then his mouth starts to move along with John's.

If you go down to the woods today,
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the woods today,
You'd better go in disguise.
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain because
Today' the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

They sing together softly, this children's song, with their hands clasped like little boys.  They sing it over and over, John holding tightly on to Anthony's hand.  They are in a place that no one else has ever been or could ever go, singing a song that John's mother used to sing to the two of them.  The boys who laughed and played and sang silly songs are all grown up now--John in a tuxedo, Anthony in a hospital gown.
The doctors think Anthony will die tonight, and John takes him to the safest place he knows.

John Kennedy dies in a airplane crash three weeks before his cousin Anthony.

My cousin Nancy died two days ago.
I sang her two songs my grandmother used to sing to us.  It was myD honor.
She could hear me, but could not sing along with me.
She was surrounded with loved one.
Her wonderful daughter and grandson.
His brother and wife Tina, who has been a god send.
Her niece Dina.
And me.  

I will always miss her.  I thank God she was in my life.

We share the laughter

My daughter is always telling me that my blogs make her cry.  So I would like to tell you of some laughter and funny times with a special person in my life.
If God would have given me another sister it would have been her. (in fact we are blood)  we are cousins.  3 months apart.  She is older as I like to tell her.  Constantly. 
I think she is one of the first persons I loved in my life when I knew what love is.
We lived together for awhile with our families.  Her mom and mine were sisters.  Maybe that is where the bond started. I had this big mop of curly hair while she had the typical two year old strands.  But her mom dressed dressed her cuter.  When she walked at 8 months then I walked at 8 months (I must have worked real hard the month of March to catch up) when she talked, I talked. 
Early on about 5, My family moved to Ecorse and hers to Southgate. I lived across the street from our other aunt.  One day they were coming to visit, I was so excited.  Only thing, she was visiting the other aunt. So there we were, looking at each other from different sides of the street.  So me, naturally, came up with a plan.  Come on over, cross, it will be alright.  So she did.  She got hit by a car.  Thankfully no injuries and all was fine.  But I never forgot it.
She and I were gigglers when we were young, drove my aunt crazy.  When I spent the night she would say, If you two girls do not stop it.....she did not have to say more.
We would meet with both of our brothers up at the dairy queen have ice cream and go home.  The dairy queen was middle ground.
She had a small swimming pool we would fill up in the summer, run from the back of the street, jump in, all the water would come out; we would fill it back up and jump in.  We did this over and over again. 
She had the Huge and I mean huge blackboard in the basement, we had so much fun playing school and drawing on it.  One time, after getting bored with that we were exploring in the basement.  Came upon an old rake.  I stepped on the prongs and it hit me in the head.  I said, did you see that?  then we laughed.  I did it AGAIN and she looked at me.  She did not have to say anything.
Once we made a birthday cake for her Mom.  We went to the penny candy store and loaded it with penny candy.  That cake weighed at least 10 lbs. My aunt ate it though.
When we were 8 or 9 our grandma got sick.  We both loved her so much. She could not eat, so we told her when she got better we would make her a huge turkey dinner.  Of course we did not realize how sick she was.
When my grandma died, she and her brother spent the night at our house, she insists I gave her pajamas with holes in them while I wore pretty baby dolls!
She always wanted to learn Highland Dancing so I taught her some steps and she tried to teach me the mash potatoes. I still cannot do the mash potatoes but I bet she knows the first step to the Highland Fling.!!!!
We shared ice skates, we shared everything.  I had two mohair sweaters,one red one green.  Every Friday we would switch colors, her red me green or vice versa.  This was high school.
I was maid of honor at her wedding
She tried to fix me up once with some dude, but it did not work out (I had a broken engagement) and she though she should help.)
Laughter has always been a great thing between the two of us.  I almost talked to her every day after we both were married and we always end of laughing.  Still do.
When my marriage ended, she was there, putting up with me.  Did I mention she is a very good listener.
I always wanted to be like her and she recently told me that she always wanted to be like me.  Mutual admiration society.
When I got married, she was a bridesmaid, I introduced her with her maiden name.  She was pregnant!
Very recently, we were sitting in the living room.  Now mind you, she has had her TV on the wall for a couple of years.  I looked around and looked her and said, Where did your TV go.  We both looked at each other she had a funny look on her face, then we both burst out laughing!
Once when we spent the night at a uncles house together, we were taking a bath together (we were young) and my aunt came in and said.Now we don't pee in the tub.  She left and I looked at her and said "do you pee in the tub"  she said "no" we still laugh about that.
When something funny happens with her she tells me, when something funny happens with me I tell her.  And we laugh, oh how we laugh.
So family, alot of laughter and good times are in our lives.  They sure have been with me.  Some of the best of them with her, my cousin, my "sister" my friend. 
She told me it is much better to laugh than cry.  She lives by that.
"There are times that I remember, in my life, I still recall"  "There are times that I remember, I love them all"      The Beatles.

Keep it coming

Well, my sister and I have hit new level.
Two sisters  sitting next to each other on dark brown lazy boy chairs.
Younger sister is babysitting older sister.
One has a very cool cane (just had knee surgery) guess who this is?
The other a very uncool walker (very old walker)
Big sister: Well, this is something different
Younger sister:  I think I liked walking the kids in strollers better
Big sister: yeah
Funny, but just another reminder that the girls are just not what they used to be.
Not ready to be put out to pasture yet tho.  At least younger sister.
Been spending alot of time with memories lately.
Funny ones.  They are best. 
Ones your children do not want to hear over and over.
So......Erin, Brian, Meghan, Devin and Michael      Sorry
Starts early,
My sister used to have to take me everywhere when my brother Michael (the favorite) was born
She would take me, I, very happy would not complain when she would squeeze my hand so tight, to make me not want to go.  Did not work.  I loved being with HER.
My sis and my cousin pulling me up on a signboard to wait for my Grandmas funeral to pass,
My entire family looking for mosquitoes at night, because someone could not sleep until every one in the house was either dead or out!
My brother, such a whiner.  Chasing him around the dining room table right into the bathroom where he would lock the door. (of course he will not remember this)
Our rides where Michael and Barbara would not behave.
Barbara and I chasing Michael into the house, causing him to fall up the steps and knock out his tooth. (Barbara's fault)
Michael not liking peas.
Family dinners, me never sitting right.  Storming off to my bedroom and slamming the door.  My mom coming down the hall, mad, telling me not to do it again,  I did.  Finally my father came and said Linda please stop.
Weddings:  Barbaras, Michael and I both young.  I was maid of honor, tripped up stairs in church and my brother and my cousin collected money to hang coats!
My wedding to Bill:  my sister crying, one single tear running down her cheek. Gosh, I did not think she cared that much!
Michaels wedding:  Erin, usually such a perfect child, decided she wanted her Dad to hold her, (except he was standing up in the wedding!) I had to take her outside and my sister, being the perfect one followed and we then had a incident with a kitten concerning Erin and Brian.
Our trip to Holland and Barbara's spectacular fall.  The greatest I have ever seen her do.  Rolled right down that hill, knocked over a fence and still managed to hit Erin in the head with her golf club.
My mom, Barb and myself falling down like dominos at Brians graduation party.  Mom could not walk then but Barb and I managed to make her fall down.
Erin pushing Brian through the air while in his little round jumper and he went airborne into the patio, from the door wall and landed perfect.
Devin running on to the stage at the end of Care Bears, making his outline of his body on the screen and Erin going up to get him.
Devin running, talking, running, talking, running, talking
Divorce time.  Unhappy, making everyone who loved me unhappy. Really making them unhappy.
Unhappy like I wish she would go away.  In fact we did, my mom and dad sent us to Florida for a week.
oh, I forgot, Trip to New York.  Did not want to go.  Made Dad miserable until my mother ended that.
Erin and Devin going away at Christmas and Easter.  Very miserable lady.  Thank God for Brian.
Michael making me ride a bike all through Monroe.  Therapy?
Linda....please.  (that would be Dad)
Playing in the basement with cousin Nancy on her BIG chalkboard, running into her LITTLE pool.
Meeting Jerry and findng my soulmate, my person who I had been waiting for all my life.
Getting married to Jerry.
Jerry turning to Erin:  Can I kiss your mother?
Michael to Linda:  Be happy now.
My best friend Linda who came through all the bad times with me, making single motherhood more bearable. 
Our dinners, her crepes, her scaring the kids with fake spiders, me defending Rebecca to a mean store lady, her crepes, our trips, people thinking her kids were mine and my kids were hers.
Dickens: "They were the best of times and the worst of times"
But keep them coming.  Friends and family.  That is what is really matters.
Not money, not things, but great memories.  Good and bad to share.
Oh, did I mention my sister-in-law Barb letting me wear my shoes on the wrong feet Brians entire wedding.  Thanks Michael (soon to be nephew in law) for stepping on my feet and knocking my shoes off.
In the big scheme of things, I did alright.  I got the best of my first marriage, my children.  I met Jerry. I have a great sister and brother ( and their spouses) even tho Art says I am a pain.
I love my life, and soon I will have a new daughter-in-law, Chrissy.  Who I love very much.  Which will bring more family into my life.  Billys family, Chrissys family, Callies family,.  Who knows what is to come?  But I know now we can do it.  We always have.
Let the games begin.

Memories of Mom

July is the birth month of my Mom, Barbara Keedy.  So, I decided to write some memories.
First of all she was a beautiful red head.  I remember in grade school how proud I would be when she would come to the school.  Which was often as she was president of the PTA.  Wearhile she was President, she held teas, arranged a play, featuring both teacher and parents and carnavals.
She was dainty, very petite but do not let that fool you, she was a power woman!
Memories:
During a very lean year,
 I wanted a Bride doll.  She went and bought a second hand doll and made the entire bridal outfit.  With my brother, Michael watching out the window, at lunchtime.  One of my favorite gifts.
She always took my sisters side.
She was funny
She could get really mad
She loved her three children with all her heart
She was very protective
She was the best baker in the world, her apple pies, Christmas was a wonder of baked goods.  Baking all the time.
She always baked every day.
She liked Babe Ruth and Heath bars.
She only let us drink ginger ale.
When she learned to drive, Dad took her around Grosse Ile and she would always end up crying because she would stop for squirrels and Dad would get mad.
She let Mike and I decorate any way we wanted at Christmas, one time we made a giant Santa out of cotton!
She hung it on the wall.
She jumped rope and played jacks and hop scotch with my sister and me.
She loved Danny Kaye and Bishop Fulton Sheen
She held Sunday school for us in the living room if we could not go to church.
She would take us on the bus downtown Wyandotte.  I will never forget those times.
She liked soap operas.
She missed her Dad.
Once when she picked me up from school, because I had the measles she did a complete turn a round on Goddard road.
50 years ago this week, when I had a brain anuersym she was the first person I saw.  All in white. (because I was in isolation)
You could not get anyone better when you were sick.
She made orange slices with sugar.
She loved poetry and plays.
She had all kinds of sayings.
She loved to go downtown Detroit.
We ate upstairs, it was great.
Christmas was a wonderland
She made my all night party dress
I loved her still do.
She had pet names for us
She loved me
She curled my hair in two rows of curls every night.
She once burned my head by accident because she saw a bug in my hair.
She had small feet
She took my daughter to get her nails done at 2
She took my son to the airport and he set off the alarm when he was 2
She helped take care of my two children
She helped my sister through cancer
She loved her grandchildren
The windows would be steamed on holidays because she cooked so much
She did not have much luxury
She could not sing
Don't take any wooden nickles (like I wanted wooden nickles)
Don't sit on that toilet
She could not swim and was afraid of water
She was funny
She was cool
I miss her

Don


l



...and the greatest of all is Love

Gentle is her soul

Tender is her heart
The many years we've had will always be a part
Of what a life of love and strength
she has always shown to all
For herself, you would never know
what pain or worries she carries
But a smile for all and how are you
never, ever, varies.
If time could stop
If time could stop
for only just a while
the joy, the joy,
of her wonderful smile!
Selfish never has been a part
of what her life has known
Only wants the best for those
she call her own
Count you blessing everyone
if you have been a part,
of someone thats so special.
You will always have that,
always will.
Deep inside your heart.

Has anyone ever witnessed true courage? I have. It is both humbling and inspiring I have many role models in my life who have shown extreme courage. The first person whom I witnessed all my life was my Father. He truly had great faith and courage. I can still see his wonderful face. Encouraging, proud, pensive, always ready with a wink that says all will be well. Then there is my sister and brother in law, Art. They truly have come through many trials in their lifetime together of 50 years. Both have faced cancer. Art, who is truly remarkable, has dealt with back issues most of his life, heart surgery, heart attacks, cancer, septis, broken hip with complications. Although we say that we are not going to take care of him anymore, it is all is fun. We are family and we will always stick together. This past Christmas so many wonderful friends came forward to help while he was in the hospital, Charlene, George, Michelle, God Bless them. My brother and sister and Barb and Jerry managed to work out a system of making sure all was taken care of. Makes you realize how important family is. Art has been in extreme pain so many times, but on he goes, gardening, baking, sewing, working around the house. Keeping things as normal as possible. Found out this Christmas, that he truly is the head of this family, keeps us on our toes but still manages to make things bright, with his silly little jokes, his wonderful baking and just plain watching and loving his family. I admire him so much. I always have, since I have been 9 years old! My daughter Erin, she has so many disappointments and yet she still tries to keep going, even with that strong will. She is my little entrepreneur for more challenges, and taking the world by storm. She is a deep thinker like her Mom and tries to problem solve everything, but that takes courage too. My cousin Nancy and her family have faced more than anyone I have seen. And with such grace. Out of her family of four, three have been very ill, and last night her husband Paul died. Nancy still has to take care of her own health issue and Leslie who is handicapped but she will. Joni, her younger daughter is a inspiration in itself. Not only has she cared for An uncle and two grandparents, but she is facing a load many would not take. Caring for her young son, Leslie her mom. And keeping me straight. David and Tina, are wonderful examples of brother and sister in law. Courage is also growing up and taking charge. My son has done that. He is married in November to a wonderful girl, whom I love very much. I know he will be a good husband. He is so caring and protective. Growing up with just sister and I he has stepped up to the plate and I know my son is now a man. He will stand by his wife, sister and myself. My husband Jerry, who has been with me through all these years, By my side . Throughout my awful depressions, sickness of my family and never wavered. I only hope I can show as much courage as these people in my life with whatever comes my way. So many have stood by me in dark times but Jerry and my sister have gone way beyond in their faith in me. Jerry is a good man. A man who does not leave in time of trouble but keeps encouraging and being there. I am blessed

I get by with a little help from my friends.

Or, should I say a lot of help from my friends.
Today started a little hectic, I got up later than usual so I had to rush to my crossing guard post. Something I do not like to do. But.... It was cold and dreary. Got out of the car, grabbed my sign and waited for my little ones.. Then it started raining and snowing and drizzle. I was so cold! Not to much later my first young girl came up, and she had a smile from ear to ear. She has a new baby brother. She was dressed all in blue and she had blue beads in her hair. So excited, showed me a picture of the baby on her phone. Such happiness!! Then, today for some reason all my regulars came at once!! Got them across the street, looked back and say my two little guys running with a basketball. They are something else. So much life in them. I signaled to them to wait for me, and that little guy with the big dimples, curly hair, waited for me. Then they were safely crossed.
I then sensed how quiet it was. Started thinking, Me? Thinking? Those who know me know that is something I never stop.
I knew my cousin was at the Dr. getting her marker done, so I thought, Oh Lord please give her good news, hope, because her load is getting very heavy. But how well she does. My Nancy, always there with a laugh, a smile, encouragement for me my whole life. Then I heard a familiar sound. Cardinals. Now cardinals are what reminds me of my Mom. Always have. When she was here and more so after she died. So I looked for it. Not only did I see one, but two. Chirping away. Silly as it seems, I walked over and looked up and said, Oh, Mom you brought Aunt Jessie today. Are you two telling me that you are watching over us? Felt so good. I know some people do not believe in this, but it is true for me.
Life is giving this family alot of lemons right now, but all you can do is be there for each other and try your best.
I am so happy my son is getting married in November. Chrissy will finally be my daughter in law. And her mother is such a good friend to me. I am lucky.
Another thing, Jerry. He brings me tea at night when I am reading before I go to bed, he helps me with my back, he listens, he gets up in the morning with me, coffee is made, and hands me a cup to go, for on my way home. I am blessed.
I am struggling right now, with the health problems of my family, and something I cannot understand that is going on with a friend. But I have to believe God will handle this in his own way.
We have a strong family, my father was always strong and told you never to give up.(Could it be because he was born in England) So Dad, I am trying real hard. Miss you and Mom so much, So if cardinals give me comfort or hearing your voice in my ear helps then so be it.

I have many blessing, and everyone has their share of problems. But we sometimes must realize that our choices our not ours. It is hard. But with such a great family as mine and such wonderful friends, We all will get through.

What do you do at the end of the day,
when you're worried and your on your own,
You get by with a little help from your friends,
Your gonna try with a little help from your friends. Beatles

Up and Downs

This year started with a roar or shall I say ended and started with a roar.
Health issues in family, trying to still have Christmas, New Years, taking care of business. Whatever. I also found myself questioning and doubting some things. I read another blog by Laura
a girl I have known since she was a baby. She really got me to thinking.
I always worry. In fact, people who really know me, know this is an understatement. But I have found myself worrying about events in my life that do not deserve them.
I have decided to share goods and bad:
Art made it through a very bad time, and Jerry, myself and Barb managed to take care of Chloe for two weeks until Callie was off for the holiday.
My cousin and her family are having a very difficult time, but somehow we have our "fireside chats" and we are coping together. I will do anything I am able to, to help them, as I know she has been and still will be there for me. My nephew and niece lost their baby which was a very unhappy and sad time for all.
A friends daughter was told she has a horrible disease, I think of her all the time and pray for her, hoping time will bring better and swifter answers.
I have learned that all I can do is try to do my best for others, I like to think I have, but sometimes you find yourself wondering what you have done to offend someone. But I cannot fix everything I would like to. Still care so much but have to let it alone.
My son is engaged to a wonderful girl, Chrissy. November 2. So happy and excited.
We have wonderful extended families. Charlene, George, who also helped us through the holidays.
Her son is also getting married this year. And I love Michael as a son, and hope to enjoy times with his new wife. Am excited about making his grooms cake!!
My future new family members, Michelle, Jennifer, also were there this year and I am looking forward to many happy times with them.
My church friends, Joyce, Joyce, Katie, Dawn, Sue, Suzanne, Madelyn. They are all so good.

So although this year, as all years started have good times and bad times, there is always hope for the future.
I thank God he provides me with this insight and keeps all of us going.

Family Ties

My Father would be proud. This Christmas proved to be quite a challenge. But I learned from it what a strong and wonderful family I have. My siblings and I have never had a Christmas without seeing each other. I am 64, so that is quite a blessing. This Christmas my brother in law fell and broke his hip. He has been in ill health for a number of years now, but this time Christmas was going to be different. After much talk to my sister, who always opens her home at Christmas we convinced her that this year it would be to much. She agreed, but was not happy. All was put into seeing Art through and making the holiday still shine. Well, for starters, my son Devins future mother in law called and asked us for hor dourves Christmas Eve.
Jerry and I had a quiet dinner alone, and my sister met us at Church for a wonderful Christmas Eve service. Then we dropped her back at the hospital and went on to Michelles. My sister came over to Michele's about 9 and we stayed for a while with delicious little pastries, cheeses and wine. Then all went home. Chrissy has a awful cold but still managed to share Christmas with us. Then my daughter Erin's mother in law invited us to eat on Christmas day. It was so good seeing them.
In between I talked to my brother and he said that we should all come to Erie where he lives Christmas night. All of our grown children could not be happier. So I went to Church Christmas morning, then dinner at Charlenes, opened presents at Erin's and off to Erie we went. We were all together.
I had just started a new job, that I have been searching for, for months. A crossing guard in Dearborn. I love it. The children are so polite and so sweet. Only problem, Chloe needed someone to watch over her. (my nephew Brians adorable little girl) So Jerry and I would go to my post, together so we could go right on to my sisters to watch Chole. Oh, did I mention our dog Max went too? We stayed until Barb got home and went back to my post at school closing time. And I had the time of my life with a beautiful little red headed two year old.!! My brother was so great at keeping my sister together and being there for her at the hospital. He even played baloon basketball with Art in rehab. Then, he said something, a memory. Do you remember three little kids, (being us) standing in the corner window on Christmas waiting for Daddy to come home Christmas morning. The minute we saw his car turn off Goddard, our Christmas began. And that is what it is about. Not money or gifts, Family who cares about each other. I know my Dad is proud of all of his family. He always was when he was here, and I know he is still giving us that wink and words of encouragement. I miss Mom and Dad so much, but they are with us, through our memories. The love is there and that is what will always count. You get through good times easy, it is when you get through bad times that matter. I am blessed with a wonderful family. We have chapter of memories and nothing can take that away. Our extended families are always there too and of course Jerry, my husband. By my side, always. Jerry is a rock and has been there for me many years. He encourages me, stands by me when I am down and loves me. Who could ask for more?