AN OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS

Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child.

As a child growing up in a Polish neighborhood in the coal mining area of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., I remember all of the love and preparation for the wonderful day of Christmas.

There was little money to rush to the mall to purchase presents. Actually, we did not think of that. Christmas and Advent were special. We prepared for the birth of the Christ Child. The good Sisters who taught us at Marymount, helped us to make simple gifts to share with family. We made Christmas ornaments to decorate the tree.

This particular Christmas, there was no money for a tree. Actually, Dad had $1.00. We joked that maybe someone would sell us a tree for a dollar. Mom simply said that we would have a Christmas tree.

Both Mom and Dad had such a total simple FAITH THAT GOD WOULD PROVIDE.........AND HE ALWAYS DID.

The tree was secondary to the NATIVITY SCENE. Most of the people in the neighborhood spent time building an elaborate NATIVITY SCENE in their homes in preparation for Christmas. Many of these scenes took up a good portion of ones living room.

The week after Christmas was spent visiting one an others homes to view the various NATIVITY SCENES and THE CHRIST CHILD LAYING IN THE MANGER. Everyone would have a beautiful Christmas tree.

Dad could build anything. He would turn scraps of wood into something useful. Mom showed us how to create so much from very little. We created a beautiful NATIVITY SCENE.

We fasted, we went to Church. We visited hospitals and old folks homes. We sang Christmas carols. There was little commercialism. The TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS was everywhere. We were happy and joyful. The fact that there was no money that year was not a concern. GOD WOULD PROVIDE.......all that we needed.

We waited until Christmas Eve morning to look for a tree in the hopes that they were on sale and one could be found for $1.00. We knew that we would find something. I simply did not expect what transpired.

Every decent looking tree was gone. Dad was determined to bring something home and not disappoint Mom. I watched him turning a few trees around. They all had a partial good side. I thought that Dad would purchase one and put the bad side against the wall. I was amazed at what he did. He negotiated to purchase two trees with bad sides for less than $1.00. Before he showed the trees to Mom, he took them to his workshop and cut the bad sides off. He then wired the two trees together and made one beautiful tree.

We had a beautiful tree to put along side our Nativity scene, just in time for Christmas Eve Supper.

This festive meal is a very important meal in Polish tradition. It contains an odd number of meatless dishes. Many dishes simply shared just on this special day. Hay is placed under the tablecloth and an extra place is always set at the table. Mom whispered to me that she hoped that Christ in disguise of a needy person would knock on our door and share this meal with us.

This meal would begin after the first star was sighted in the sky. At such time, we would share the oplatek, which is a thin wafer provided by our Church.

After this festive meal, gifts were shared and we usually went to midnight Mass. I did not expect any special Christmas gift that year because of the financial situation in our home. What a surprise when Mom and Dad brought out children's furniture that Dad made from small pieces of wood. A cupboard for some small dishes and a buffet.

That was over 50 years ago and that furniture has been passed down to many children to enjoy.

After Midnight Mass, we would socialize with friends and neighbors and then head home for another snack of those wonderful foods that we could not touch until Christmas Day.

This was such a wonderful Spiritual time. A time for reflection, a time for prayer, a time to rejoice the BIRTH OF CHRIST.

I would like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

"TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE"

Eileen was diligently saving money to purchase a blue fox fur coat that she had her eye on. Every so often, she would visit the furrier who carried this coat and try it on.

She had saved $1,600.00 so far toward the cost of this beautiful coat. Soon she would have enough money to purchase this coat, perhaps in time for Christmas.

One evening, her sister, Barbara, called from her home in another state. They talked on the phone every week but had not seen one another in several months. Barbara was divorced and worked at a job that provided the bare necessities but there was rarely enough money for extras.

She always seemed to turn lemons into lemonade. She was a happy person.

During this particular conversation, she was not her usual upbeat self. Eileen sensed that there was a problem and asked what was going on.

Barbara said that due to circumstances that she could not control, she had fallen behind on her mortgage payments and had just received notice from the bank that they were going to take action against her unless she came up with $1,800.00 within a short period of time.

She had no way to raise that amount of money and was resigned to losing her home. She was going apartment hunting that afternoon.

She DID NOT ASK EILEEN FOR A LOAN.

Eileen, without hesitation, told Barbara that she would send her a check for $1,800.00 to bring her mortgage current. Barbara said that she would try to repay her as funds became available.

Eileen simply said that this money was for future birthdays, Christmas etc. and was a gift.

BYE, BYE fur coat. Eileen knew that if she had purchased that coat at a time when her sister was in jeopardy of losing her home, that she would not enjoy wearing the coat.

EILEEN STILL NEEDED A COAT......

She went shopping and saw a Jordache fake fur coat that caught her eye. It was originally $250.00 reduced to $75.00. She continued to try on coats but her eyes kept going back to that Jordache fake.

She purchased that coat. It turned out to be a coat that she called HER HAPPY COAT.

Whenever Eileen wore this coat, someone would come up to her and admire it. This did not happen, once or twice, but EVERY TIME THAT SHE WORE THIS COAT.

There was nothing special about this coat except the reason that she purchased it. She came to realize that this coat was special because of how she came to own it.

She came to believe that every time someone complimented the coat and how well it looked on her that this HAD TO BE A MESSAGE FROM GOD letting her know that HE WAS PLEASED with her action.

She does NOT RECEIVE compliments on her other coats.

She has gained weight and no longer can fit into this coat. She recently donated this coat to charity. She hopes that the woman who now wears this coat, receives as much pleasure as she did from wearing it.

As I contemplated writing this story, I googled, JOY OF GIVING. I came upon an article from Science Central.

"Brain imaging research is unwrapping what's behind the joy of giving."

"You give from the heart and.....it satisfies your brain," says Jordan Grafman, chief of the Cognitive Neuroscience Section of a division of the National Institutes of Health.

Studies were conducted using a technique called functional MRI. " They were not surprised that when people received money, it lit up structures deep in the brain associated with the release of the chemical dopamine, which is known to trigger feelings of pleasure and reward."

"But as they reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, donating to charities lit up the brain's reward circuits even more than receiving cash.

TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE............

IT MUST BE A CATHOLIC CELEBRATION

Ron and Regina left Michigan several days ago for a new venture in their journey through life.

They are driving to their new home in a tiny fishing village north of Merida, the capital of the Yucatan. They cross the border to Mexico in Brownsville, Texas for the remaining 1400 mile journey around the Gulf Coast to the Northern Yucatan area that is their future home.

Any long trip such as this is a challenge. One needs to be prepared for the unexpected on a journey such as this. They encountered obstacles and detours. They encountered beautiful scenery and hospitable people.

They were traveling on December 8 and it seemed as if everyone was celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The roads were filled for hundreds of miles with children carrying wood statues of Mother Mary. Many carried torches or candles. Autos were following behind this vast procession of people showing their love of the Blessed Mother.

Regina stated to Ron, IT MUST BE A CATHOLIC CELEBRATION. They had not encountered a celebration such as this while back home.

George and I joined in the joyous celebration of the Immaculate Conception many years ago while we were in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was a memorable experience. The joy and love of the people of Mexico for the Blessed Mother was so intense. The emotions filled our hearts.

Puerto Vallarta is nestled between the rugged sierras' and the ocean. We were staying on a beachfront property but ventured up into the rugged terrain on occasion. The road in the mountain area is steep and winds down the mountainside.

We were several miles away from the village and normally would take a taxi to our destination. But not this night.

As we left the resort, we looked to the mountain road on this dark night and witnessed an unbroken line of light moving slowly down the steep, winding road. It was an incredible sight. We were told that all roads to the village were filled with people carrying statues of the Blessed Mother, burning torches and lighted candles.

It would be impossible for a taxi to pass into the village from our location. It was suggested that we eat at the resort.

NO WAY!!!! We had never witnessed such a beautiful scene before and decided to join this procession of thousands of people walking down the mountainside to gather in the village and honor our Blessed Mother.

We forgot about dinner and fed off the energy and love of the beautiful human beings that we interacted with on this lovely night.

All loved our Blessed Mother very much and that love totally filled the atmosphere.

What a beautiful night to remember. December 8, 1985.

GOD'S COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE

During my wanderings, I enjoy looking at old architecture. My son shares this passion and we visit many different Church's together when he is in town. I seem to see something new and interesting where ever we go.

One beautiful evening, I had attended Mass. Mass ended on a beautiful scene. I hope that others witnessed what I saw. So often we overlook beauty in nature and our surroundings. We often do not see what is in front of our nose. I seem to see everything and am constantly in awe.

GOD IS THE ULTIMATE ARTIST and shares HIS art work with us for our enjoyment and as a message of HIS INFINITE LOVE.

Father Adamkiewicz had finished Mass and was slightly to the left of the processional cross. He was facing the congregation. The sun was shining through the stain glass window. It projected in such a way, that a rainbow was forming from the middle of the Cross and ended directly behind Father Adamkiewicz. The color's blended into a vibrant pink and sky blue. Sky blue turned into the dominant color.

This scene reminded me of a rainbow ending at a pot of gold. Except, as in this case, the pot of gold was Father Adamkiewicz.

As he moved from the altar, the colors started to fade and when he turned to face the altar, the rainbow disappeared. This scene left such an impression on me that I wanted to remember it and someday do an abstract oil painting of it.

Whenever I see a rainbow, I always take time to look at it. I have always associated the rainbow with positive things but never took the time in my busy schedule to see if there was any specific meaning to the rainbow.

Something was tugging at me when I returned home and I started to research RAINBOW.

I googled RAINBOW AND COLORS.........I would like to share what I learned. I should have learned this in the past and who knows, perhaps I had been told this before and DID NOT HEAR. Too often, in our busy lifestyles, WORDS ARE SPOKEN TO US BUT WE DO NOT HEAR.

"The colour blue is frequently associated with the TABERNACLE. Blue is also associated with the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, the importance of remembering them and also the heavenly calling of those who had been chosen by GOD to be HIS people."

"Blue is also connected with that which is HOLY IN GOD'S SERVICE".

The colour blue was so intense in the arc from the cross to the priest. Was GOD trying to tell us something?

There was so much to read about the colours of the rainbow and then the article led into GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH.

I am the product of Catholic schools. I attended Church, almost everyday while in school. I graduated from a secular university but still made a daily visit to Church until I married and children arrived.

For some reason, back in those days, we were not encouraged to read the Bible. What we learned from the Bible was interpreted by our Priests and Nuns. So, I listened but did not always hear.

Now, I am catching up and reading the Bible.

GOD'S COVENANT (Genesis 9:8-15)

COVENANT'S PROMISE (v.11)

"I ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH YOU: Never again will all life be cut off by the WATERS OF THE FLOOD; never again will there be a flood to DESTROY THE EARTH".

COVENANT'S PROMISE (vv.12-15)

12,13. And GOD said, "This is a SIGN OF THE COVENANT, I AM MAKING BETWEEN ME AND YOU and every living creature with you, a COVENANT for all generations to come: I have set my RAINBOW IN THE CLOUDS, and it well be a SIGN OF THE COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THE EARTH.

14,15 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the RAINBOW appears in the clouds, I will REMEMBER MY COVENANT between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."

"One lady stated that her first connection between the GOD OF SCRIPTURE AND THE GOD OF HER OWN LITTLE WORLD as a child came after being read this account of Noah and the flood in a Bible-story and being shown the rainbow after a particularly heavy rainstorm. Such an association is EXACTLY WHAT GOD INTENDED. The beauty of the brilliant spectrum of light in the sky is to remind people of any age, in every age, that they have a connection to GOD. It is up to individuals to determine if they will be faithful or faithless in their responses to the GOD WHO MAKES COVENANTS WITH US."

SEE THE RAINBOW, REMEMBER GOD'S PROMISE.........

Because of the beautiful scene between Father Adamkiewicz and the Cross, my life has been enriched with the story of the rainbow and a REMINDER OF GOD'S LOVE AND PROMISE TO US.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

This is a very special day in more ways then one. My daughter's birthday many times falls on Thanksgiving day. My son, Christopher's birthday is December 25. We have much to be thankful for.

I had mixed feelings last Thanksgiving. I knew that I had much to be thankful for and yet the pain that I was feeling from George's unnecessary death in the hospital was so deep.

Last year, as this year, I started the day with Thanksgiving Day Mass. I sat next to the same person who I sat next to last year. I DID NOT KNOW this gentleman last year but have come to know him since then as a faithful member of our St. Edwards community.

Last year, Father Butler asked everyone to turn to the person next to them and say what they were thankful for.

The gentleman next to me said that he was thankful that his wife, who was not well was feeling better. Intense emotion arose in me and I blurted out, fighting back the tears that I was grateful that my husband was no longer in pain and was in Heaven.

I was in deep emotional pain as I left Church. I have so much to be grateful for but I broke down and cried all the way home. It was my daughter's birthday and also Thanksgiving and so I drove around the area until I was able to put on a happy face. After all, I am the rock of the family, people rarely, if ever see me cry. I made it through the day with my happy face, but broken heart.

The next day, I started to pack my suitcase for a three month journey. One that I had promised my husband that I would take. One that would put me back into the world of the living. One where I would count my blessings everyday. One where God sent me in a very tangible way, a message that I was on the right track. One where lives were touched. What a gift from both God and George.

George was a very wise man. He knows that my word is my bond and that I would follow through on a promise. He asked me to do something for him. He wanted me to take a trip by myself, to places that we had never been. To face something different and to do one new thing a week. THE FIRST STEP WAS THE HARDEST..........

Do one new thing a week?????? I thought that it would be hard but I found myself doing one new thing every day for the first seven days. At this rate, I did not have to do anything new but boy!!!!! the challenge was there. It was an easy challenge, made even easier because of the wonderful people that I met. My journey was an inspiration to them as they were an inspiration to me. We fed off of one another. I thanked people.....they thanked me.....we hugged, we laughed......ALL ALONG THE WAY, I FELT THE LOVE OF GOD AND GEORGE......They wanted me to be O.K. and I was going to be O.K.

I could write a book about those three months but more important is the direction that my life has taken since I returned. Writing Grace Moments is something that I never in a million years would have ever expected to do. I was never very good in English and hated to write anything.

The picture of the rainbow at the top of this page was taken from the balcony of the condo that I had been staying in during the first leg of my journey. The day after I took that picture, I walked the beautiful beach of S. Hutchinson Island and was so mesmerized by the birds, wildlife and people that I met that I walked over 13 miles before I realized it. TALK ABOUT A FIRST.......I seriously doubt if I ever walked more than 4 miles prior to that day.

I was totally inspired by everything that I did that day and everything that I saw. I thanked God for the beautiful rainbow and HIS help in healing my heart. I looked at that rainbow and thought that it was beautiful but did not know the significance of the rainbow at that time. Something happened when I returned home, that made me look at rainbows in a more profound manner. A truly inspirational manner. I learned that a rainbow is God's Covenant to Man. At a later date, I will write about that.

And now fast forward to this wonderful day....I have so much to be thankful for. I did not leave the Church in tears. When I turned to the gentleman, who I now know, during my favorite part of the Mass when we say, PEACE BE WITH YOU, I hugged him and later asked about his wife. I remembered what he had said last year. He said that she is still frail and so I said a prayer for her as I left Church.

The common union of our Church as Father Pat so often speaks of inspires me and makes me happy. For this I am grateful. The Spirit and love that I feel as a result of this common union is something to be grateful for. I try to give back in some small way all that has been given to me in love and friendship. If I can make a difference in the life of someone..........this I am grateful for. My family and friends and also all of those strangers who approach me and compliment the Cross that I wear......and exchange words of FAITH ........this I am grateful for. For the blessing and gift of a loving heart.........this I am grateful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU

AN ANGEL ON EARTH HAS BEEN CALLED HOME

"The extraordinary thing about Kathleen King is not that she was run over by her own car on Monday.

It's that at 80, Ms King was at work."

This is a quote from the Albany Times Union.

Ms. King was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She reached out to help her fellowman in need in whatever capacity she was able. She was AN ANGEL ON EARTH. People like Ms. King make a difference in the lives of the people that they touch. Many people have no one to see or talk to. Then there is a knock on the door, and AN ANGEL ON EARTH is there with not only a meal but a kind word and smile on their face.

According to the Times Union, "she called her clients, "her peeps". She came to adopt them as her extended family. For one man, like so many clients who usually see no one else except the postman and a Meals on Wheels volunteer, she'd take home his clothes to wash or sew buttons."


As people are living longer, there are many who are living alone but need some help. Volunteer programs like Meals on Wheels and other volunteer programs help people to stay in their homes and live out their remaining years in dignity. Our ANGELS ON EARTH provide a much needed service. Many of these ANGELS are your friends and neighbors. They are the ones who are always busy, rarely gossip and are usually upbeat even when their own hearts may be breaking.

They are there to help whenever and where ever they can. THEY ASK NOTHING IN RETURN.

I have never met Kathleen King, but I have a vision of her in my head, that shows GOD waiting with open arms to embrace her as she was recently called HOME.

On Tuesday, she was delivering a meal to one of her "peeps", when she was hit by her car. "She got out of her car and walked around the front, only to realize, too late, that she hadn't put it in park. It hit her, pinning her underneath it. Though rescue workers arrived within minutes, she was hospitalized with a head injury".

This morning, as I began my day with reading the morning paper, I read with sadness that she died. I said a prayer for this ANGEL ON EARTH but rejoice in the firm belief that GOD greeted her with a huge smile, open arms and said, "WELCOME HOME".

PRAISE GOD FOR HE HAS ALREADY DELIVERED MORE THAN I EVER DREAMED

This past summer, Marlena, became ill. She was diagnosed with a very dangerous virus, VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS (brain infection). She was in a coma for 12 days. Bobby reached out to family, friends and co-workers to pray for his beautiful wife. To ask God to help her in this time of crisis.

They feel blessed that she came out of the coma and has been given a chance to recover. A chance at life.

When Bobby asked for prayers, he also wrote the following: TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW how much you LOVE them and how you can not live without them. We never know what tomorrow brings. We have both lost our fathers and know that they are in a better place, but while we are here on earth we need to cherish EVERY BREATH GOD GIVES US; CHERISH our FAMILY and our FRIENDS.

Marlena has been in two different rehab facilities these past months and is making progress. She is set to be released to outpatient therapy on November 26. They are grateful for all of the prayers of family, friends and co-workers.

Bobby wrote," PRAISE GOD FOR HE HAS ALREADY DELIVERED MORE THAN I EVER DREAMED"!!!!!!

MY WIFE RECOGNIZES ME and talks about me all the time. She is starting to remember little things that would not mean much to most people but I know they are signs from God of what is to come. If she never remembers any of our past, then we will build new memories and if she can't remember them, then we will live every day as a new day. We are four months into a brain injury that could take up to six months to heal and we have GOD on our side. Our neighbors, friends and family have been our backbone and I know they love us by their actions. Tonight, Marlena, is getting her first overnight pass. It is the first time that she will be home since July 19.

GOD DELIVERS if you do your part. God also TELLS YOU NO sometimes and you have to understand that there is a reason. I lost my father and my best friend in 1988 and I should have lost my wife and best friend to this brain infection. She should never have recovered from her coma but GOD said yes to all of our PRAYERS. She is proof that GOD is right in the middle of another miracle and one day we will all celebrate whatever he decides to deliver, AS LONG AS WE KEEP DOING OUR PART!!!!!

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR MY WIFE!!!!!!!

Love in Christ,

Bobby D.

I would like to ask everyone who reads this to please include Marlena in your prayers. We are one.

My son, who lives in California, e-mailed me with Bobbys' request for prayers in August. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

Bobby has given all who read his e-mail something to think about. Life is fragile, life is precious. One never knows what life will bring. He shares his faith with us and the beautiful gift of love that he has for his wife.

For those of us, who are busy rushing through life; please take time out and reach out to those who need us with a smile, a kind word and prayer. God hears every prayer. AND, one never knows; if our smile and/or kind word is the only one that someone has experienced in sometime. Our actions and prayers can make a difference.

MY SIBLINGS, MY FRIENDS

I had writers block this morning and decided not to publish this day. The story that I had planned to write needed more thought. And so, I began my day; paying bills on line, checking e-mails and planning the day. Prior to leaving my desk, I thought that I was so glad that this election was over. My siblings and I did not share the same viewpoints about our candidates. There were a number of discussions, some HEATED.......Heated to the point, that I insisted upon facts and not fiction in order to make an informed decision prior to casting my vote.

This heated dialogue taught me much about our government and history. I found myself going all the way back to 1947 researching our branches of government. I wanted to know what caused the mess that our country is currently faced with. I did not want to cast a vote based upon emotion or to follow the pack.

My sisters and I agreed to disagree and respect one an others opinions. My older, brilliant, renegade brother was a different story. He challenged me with his knowledge. He worked in the Pentagon eons ago and has very strong opinion's. He is usually right but I frustrated him with my opinions.

I will not even try to write about our "DISCUSSIONS"!!!!!!!!!He really rattled my cage. What transpired and what I learned is enough to fill a book.

The election is over, and our discussions via e-mail will lead us to who knows where. Joe is 80 years old and continues to amaze me and so this morning, I sent him the following.

"Good Morning",

Life is constantly presenting challenges and knocks one down from time to time. A Lovendusky does not stay down for the full count and gets up to fight another round. We have learned to turn lemons into lemonade. I have experienced many difficult challenges in my life as have my siblings. We have experienced some small pushes and at other times many major blows.

We siblings have all experienced difficult times but we have also been blessed with so much of the wonderful life. As I interact with so many people, I find that many have no one in their lives. Can you imagine? No one to have a heated discussion with, to smile, laugh, cry and disagree with. How lonely, how sad.

I look at each and every one of my siblings (my friends) and see very special, unique individuals. We are an interesting, diverse family. Each with a story of joy, sorrow, pain and success. In our own way, we make a difference in the lives of those around us.

I have learned something different from each and every one of you.

So this morning, I would like to start the day by letting you know that I am very happy to have you as my brother.

Have a great day,

Dolores

He responded:

I got up this morning and the sun was shining again and I was breathing. Isn't that great? The stupid election season is over and I hope that we never see another as bad as this one was. The worst, I've ever seen.

You are so right about family. We can bounce back, because we had darn good examples growing up.

Take care of yourself.

Have a great day. I'm happy to have you girls as my sisters.

Joe Jr.

I had not planned to publish, but I started to type what was running around in my head and decided to share my thoughts with you. Hope you do not mind.

MAY THE SAINTS WALK WITH YOU

I was wandering around Ocean Job Lot in Cape Cod in October of 2006. This was more for nostalgia than for shopping. My husband liked to shop there for bargains after he retired.

It was Sunday and I had just attended Mass. My husband had passed away just two months before and Sundays for some reason were the saddest day of the week for me. I would see so many older couples in Church together and think, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE US. Silent tears were ever present.

So off I went after Mass on Sunday to his favorite spots. Crab creek where he spent many hours catching crabs for dinner, Christmas tree shop and Ocean Job Lot to pick up a bargain that we did not need.

The week prior when I entered Ocean Job Lot, the song that was played at my husband's viewing filled the air. That really caught my attention since that is not what I expected to hear in this store. (I have never heard it there any other time)

As I wandered around the aisles, I started to SNEEZE.

An older couple were a few aisles over and they came up to me and said something in ITALIAN. The wife said God Bless You. The husband took my hand and he said, "MAY THE SAINTS WALK WITH YOU". That is what we said in Italian.

My heart was overwhelmed and I told them that their kindness is just what I needed that day. I told them why. I also said, "YOU MADE MY DAY". They both hugged me and simply said that I MADE THEIR DAY.

Some other things happened as well. SO I MADE A DECISION.............

George was cremated. I had not decided where his final resting spot would be. I was not prepared for his death. We did not have a burial plot picked out.

Kelly Sanvidge from Emerick's Funeral Home had suggested that I consider having George entombed in the Columbarium Wall at the Saratoga National Cemetery when I was ready.

I had received other signs that George was HAPPY AND HOME IN HEAVEN. Now it was my turn to put him to rest on this earth. HE WOULD ALWAYS WATCH OVER ME, this I knew, this I felt and continue to feel to this day.

George had an elegant funeral. Bishop Hubbard made his Mass so special. The Air Force Honor Guard gave him a wonderful send off at the Church. That was in August, 2006.

After I returned home from the Cape, I called Kelly and told him that I was ready to finally say good-bye. I would follow his suggestion and have George entombed in the Columbarium Wall at the Saratoga National Cemetery. It is a beautiful area and George would be pleased.

I fully expected that we would say a few quiet prayers at the cemetery and that would be that. Kelly told me that George would be given a full military burial at this time. Our grandson and daughter thought that was a good idea and so I agreed.

Kelly told me that the Honor Guard would pick a date when all could be present. That was fine with me.

He called me and told me that the date that they choose was, ALL SAINTS DAY, November 1.

ALL SAINTS DAY is a very special day for me. We remembered George at Mass this morning. I remember him every moment of every day. He was a good man...........

On a lighter note, Father Lanese spoke of married couples as SAINTS many years ago.

He said that when couples took their vows, for richer, for poorer until death we do part many, many years ago, they never expected to be married for 40 plus years. People had shorter life expectancies than today. The average marriage lasted seven years. Now a days, with longevity, he said that all couples who have been married for a long time are SAINTS...............

And also if you sneeze and someone responds to that sneeze in Italian.......remember......MAY THE SAINTS WALK WITH YOU...........

GOD'S GIFT TO OUR FAMILY

George was scheduled for a heart valve replacement. A friend of his was going to drive him to the hospital in the early morning hours on April 20. He told his wife to see him after the operation and to go back to sleep. He told his daughter, that he would be home in a few days and gave her a big hug.

He was optimistic about the outcome of the operation and was in good spirits.

When his wife arrived at the hospital later that morning, she was told that the operation was taking a little longer than expected.

When the operation was completed, the surgeon called her on a phone in the waiting room and told her that the operation was successful.

Little did she know at that time that 113 days later, her beloved husband would be dead. He never left the hospital. The nightmare of what transpired during those days is too difficult to write about.

George was a fighter and so he overcame one crisis after another. His sons who lived out of state wanted to visit him during this time, but he told them not to fly to New York since he would be coming home soon. He would see them when he was released from the hospital. He talked to them on the phone instead.

George Jr. who lived in California decided that in spite of what Dad was saying, he would take time from work and fly to New York.

After fighting a number of infections, the last one was too much for his body to recover from. One of the doctors called his wife and told her to hurry to the hospital because George would not last the night. She rushed to the hospital and prayed by her husbands' side. Prior to leaving for the hospital, she had her daughter call the Bishop of their diocese to alert him of this crisis.

Marie also called her brother, Joseph to alert him of this crisis. He made immediate flight arrangement to fly in from Michigan. His brother, George Jr. was already in flight from California.

The boys would have been devastated if their father had passed away without them being there and to say good-bye. Even though Dad told them not to visit in the hospital, the pain and sorrow of not seeing him one last time would have been difficult to bear.

George generously volunteered his time to good works all through his lifetime. He worked closely with their Bishop to help others.

Their Bishop was away but his secretary called him and he was able to get to the hospital. He prayed and prayed.

GEORGE DID NOT DIE THAT NIGHT.....................

Much to the amazement of his Doctor, it seemed as if he was going to recover.

The boys arrived in New York and the next day George's entire family was at his side. They laughed, they joked, they had a wonderful time interacting with their Dad. All was right with the world. This went on for several days.

Everyone thought that the crisis had passed and so the boys flew back home.

GEORGE DIED......his wife, daughter and grandson were at his side. They were in a state of shock.

When George's wife called their sons to tell them of their fathers' passing, they could not comprehend his death. He seemed fine.

George's wife is an extremely spiritual woman. She has a strong belief in God. Her faith has pulled her through numerous difficult times. She is the rock and strength of her family.

She simply told them that God had heard our Bishop's prayer and that the time they had to spend with their Dad was GOD'S GIFT TO OUR FAMILY......She did not have to say anything else. They understood.