May 9 1996

Even 15 years later I find this time of year very difficult--today in particular.  Words are elusive and melancholy is anything but.  Mary Jane's struggles before and during her illness weigh heavily on my mind.  There's a hole that won't ever be filled.  I learned things no one ever seeks to learn.  I guess I just didn't want to day to pass without some kind of acknowledgement.  Here's to you sweetie!

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, our first Junior Prom is over. I did not cry yesterday, but I am right now. I already miss the little boy that used to take naps with me and had so many questions I wanted to scream. Yesterday, he also got notification that he was accepted to Clarkson's Young Scholars program for this summer. I am so proud of him for his hard work and am already sad that college is so close (although Matthew can't wait!)

In addition, you all know how I detest getting my picture taken, but yesterday a friend (Julie's father) convinced me to let him take one of me with Ryan because this is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" and next time I see him I will thank him for convincing me.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

May Day 2011

It's May Day!  Remember May baskets?  That's a nice little tradition that seems to have died away.  We'd make construction paper weave baskets and fill it with available flowers (those pretty yellow dandelions) and sometimes cookies from the drawer for Mom.  Well, I did that at least once!  Maybe you did not.

I just have some random things for this post.  Amy now has a new address:  1442 Pearce Park Apt 9  Erie PA 16502.  She's very happy to get "out of the ghetto".  Remember your first place?  Do you remember the second as well?  I think that first place has a special place in our memories.  Jim's family never moved once while the children were growing up.  They only ever had one address.  By comparision, we were gypsies.

I was able to get out and do some gardening this morning.  It felt really good!  I also got to admire my new tulips.  It's been a long time since I've had the time or inclination to plant new bulbs in the fall to enjoy in the spring.  Last fall I had some time on my hands as well as a new garden to play in.  Now I get to reap the rewards the rabbits and deer kindly left behind for me by not eating the bulbs sooner.

I'm doing a lot less hands-on parenting these days which is the major reason for the time on my hands.  In some ways I feel a little bit useless so it's a great blessing to have gardens.  They create endless work!

Happy May Day 2011!

Follow Oxford Baseball here - maybe, if I've done it right?

http://www.gamechanger.io/t/spring-2011/oxford-varsity-2011-3338483/fanbase

Paul Senior and Junior 1972

I was going through some papers and found a couple of letters I thought you all might find interesting.  Bill Gleason is Dad's cousin and he sent a letter shortly after Dad died which included the following memories:  I have been thinking of your Dad, especially, the good times we had when I stayed at Aunt Catherine and Uncle Paul's house for a week each year during my summer vacation in the late 30's and early 40's.  We went to Good Harbor Beach almost every day, boat trips at Gloucester Harbor, and the highlight - a trip to the amusement park at Salisbury beach.  Uncle Paul loaded the back of the pick up truck with kids and off we went for the evening.  We never realized how dangerous it was.   I kind of expect it was dangerous in more than one way, but that's the way it is when you are a kid, right?

From another letter written shortly after Dad died, his cousin Tom Foley noted:  Growing up I didn't get too acquainted with your Dad since he was about 8 years older.  I do remember going to a High School play and I recall him playing the part of "Peter Pan".  I think it was obligatory for the entire Pierce side of the family to go to the school to show our support.  In the big scene, Peter Pan was suspended about 5-6 feet off the floor of the stage and came flying across it on some sort of pulley rig.  I will never know if he got the part becasue he was very good, or if it was because he was the smallest and skinniest guy available.

Pudge says about Mom:  I have so many fond memories of her and of course your father and you kids.  I met your Mom when we were about 13.  We lived on the same street.  She was kind of diagonal to me.  We didn't go to the same school until Bona's but we wewre in the same sorority in High School, so we hung around a bit then.  We really got very close in college, in fact, she's the reason I still drink my coffee black.  We used to take turns buying coffee and I would always put milk and sugar in both bups and it got expensive trying to remember ( we were only making about 50 cents an hour) so I decided not to put anything in the coffee and then I wouldn't go wrong.  

We did a bit of double dating at that time and then there was a time that Weenie was in the hospital and she stayed with us.  There were a lot of laughs and secrets shared.  My mother had your Mom write the invitations for my wedding as she didn't think that my handwriting was good enough.

These little stories meant a lot to me then and they still do today.  My friend Brenda's mother died today.  Like Dad, she was in the hospital and failing.  Still, she wasn't expected to die and Brenda is feeling kind of shocked.  I plan to write her a little note with some remembrances of her Mom and hope it brings some peace now and in the future. 

GOOD NEWS!

HELLO EVERYONE

I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!

I HAVE GIVEN LORI MOM'S WEDDING RING!

YES, I FINALLY DID IT!

WE HAVE NO SET PLANS YET BUT WANTED

ALL OF YOU TO KNOW.

Happy Birthday Mary Jane!