"I meant to do my work today, but a butterfly flew in the garden." That line is the only one I remember from a movie from my youth called "Friends".
How appropriate that the symbol for my mom is the butterfly which is the symbol of the Resurrection. Aunt Peg taught us that in a note she sent us after my mom's death.I meant to do my work today, but a butterfly flew in the garden. Then, the butterfly reminded me I should get back to work!! My mom was a very practical woman!! (And the Drudy sisters started the July 4th picnics)
She was married to Martin (my dad) who also had a thing about work. On what turned out to be two days before he died, he told his visitors.."Go to work, I am not the entertainment." (Was it just me he was talking too!) Martin used to tell us that people were in the hospital because they were sick and needed to get better. However, he also raised holy hell with hospital staff years earlier when I was a preteen because they wouldn't let me on the floor to see him. (He also asked me when Laurie was pregnant with Geoff if I had a "bun in the oven." He was on a lot of medication! But, obviously, he was hoping for grandchildren from me too!) Martin and Anna both were active in their own community in the Civil Rights Era..and set the example for their children.
My niece, Jessica, died at the age of five. She died suddenly from a virus eleven months before my mom died. So, I bet she was in line for the welcome home greeting! Jessica and Jason, my nephew, spent some time with us in OC the summer before she died. Jessica was wise beyond her years. I remember a trip on a jitney in OC when she sat next to a young boy (about 10) and had a full conversation with him. She also got to sit on Santa's lap that summer for Christmas in July and Mimi and Den had a full turkey dinner on Labor Day because turkey was her favorite meal. God saw the bigger picture and gave us memories. I did not watch her dive off the board and probably was the only one who respected her wishes that last summer. She was pint sized but full of spirit and brains!
My brother, Bill, died on July 4, 2000. July 4th was his favorite holiday. He was old enough to be my father and sometimes treated me as though he were!! But, he and Astrida gave us nieces and nephews who lived in the area so we could bring them to our neighbors to show them off! They also had the best Easter candy!
Billy loved New York...one of our parents must have had the "I love New York" gene because many of us do! Bill worked in the Twin Towers (at times)...and was leaving one side of the building as the bombs went off on the other side in 1993. Fortunately, he did not have to see his beloved city suffer in 2001. P.S. Thanks to Bill, we had Panda..who won over my dad's heart (we will never get a dog).
Martin Jr., my oldest brother, also is deceased. He was a proud career man in the Air Force. I remember one time my younger sister bought a jacket from the Army-Navy Store. It was a real jacket. What did we know? Marty got really upset because it still had the badges and patches. This was during the Vietnam War era. We've learned some lessons about treating the uniform since then. (Hopefully.) Marty and Dot didn't live nearby except for some time Dot and the kids lived in Dover, Delaware while Marty was stationed in Greenland. That was okay though. All of our summer vacations were planned around where Marty and Dot and the kids were living. After my mom died, my dad (Martin Sr.) took comfort in traveling to visit them...There was a connection between the oldest son and the dad. Marty was an artist...balancing art and military not an easy task.. Also he was before his time in advocating for smoke detectors in every home and paying close attention to the weather (pre-weather channel).
Bob..my brother-in-law..made great Bloody Mary drinks for the picnics. (Of course, I was of age when he served them to me). He also became a Master Gardener (didn't stop work because a butterfly went by) so Christmas gifts were often homemade. He and my sister Ann hosted some July 4th picnics after the Drudy sisters moved out of NJ. Bob and Anne gave us Michelle another niece we could show off! Pizza from the Clinton Tavern on Friday nights were nice too...so July 4th wasn't just the only time we shared food. Bob put up with some of us living in with them at a variety of times in our lives. But, mommy and daddy made us weed the stones around their pool before we could swim. Their teen aged neighbor taught me to swim.
Butch (to many Bill ,Jr....tears for him Linda as it is hard to believe...). Butch and, his brother Bob-my nephew- and I were the last ones to be with my mother, Anna, the day she had her stroke. Anna was very proud of her Marine grandson. Butch started Sinteff.com ( prior to FB). We would argue in print about politics and every other topic families and friends are not supposed to discuss. Sometimes, on FB, I feel that Butch is probably agreeing. Both Butch and Billy were computer savvy. Maybe Zuckerberg is benefiting from some of their whispering. Whenever I see Lars, I can't help think of Butch. You would think they were identical cousins like Patty Duke and Patty Duke.
Linda, in a FB post, wondered if Bill and Butch are in the palm of God's hands. I believe they are celebrating together a true day of Freedom and Independence....in the palm of God's hands. Just ask the butterfly...but remember, there is work to do (for our nation that they also loved...and fought for...in a variety of ways)!
Happy 4th of July!
Love,
Marian
Love,
Marian
July 4, 2012
This is from July 4, 2011.
