Eulogy for Ciocia Helen Mallon (Aug 11, 1919 - May 20, 2011)

My aunt died on Friday May 20th 2011. I wrote the eulogy and some wanted to read it so I am posting a copy here. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to write.

Eulogy for Helene Mallon – 5/24/11

I am a stubborn Polack – like my aunt - and when I was told there was not going to be a eulogy I had to write one.

I have never written a eulogy but have heard way too many. Many of you know I am very computer literate, so of course I searched for examples online only to find they charge $22.95 plus S&H for a eulogy kit that includes a CD, poems and cheat sheets. I was surprised and appalled so I closed the browser and started writing. I apologize for the length but I have a lot to say.

Ciocia Helen! That’s what we called her and our kids call her that too. Funny thing is now I am a Ciocia and I feel honored to follow in those shoes. Ciocia Helen was a big part of my life and I am sure she has had an impact on everyone who knew her. We all knew her as a strong, vibrant, dedicated Mother, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Aunt and Friend.

Since I was young and after Ba died, we had the pleasure of having her move in with Dzia dzia next door and NO everyday was not sunshine and lollipops, but we did have a lot of fun. We got to know her practically as our second mother. I don’t remember many of the details of earlier days but we were very lucky to have our family so close to us. That may have been the foundation we model our family after. My brothers and sister learned early on that family is definitely the most important and we saw this with the intensity between my mom and ciocia Helen. They were so close, almost inseparable as I am with my sister. Just ask her husband Mike. I am blessed to have gotten that from Ciocia Helen and my mom.

She did have a sternness about her, (to put it mildly) but as I have experienced in my own life, the trials she went thru gave her the strength to deal with whatever came along in the only way she knew how – Fearless and Head On! Nothing got in her way and if it did, well she just plowed thru it with fierce determination.

She went out of her way to make sure everything she did was meticulously complete. Some opinions may have been that she went a bit overboard at times but in hindsight you realize she was right. I recall the many times she was involved with either one of her own – or one of our moves, every box she labeled had NO question as to what was in them – right down to the color of the stripes on the glasses inside. You never had to open a box she packed to know what was in it - we didn’t see the value in that until we needed something and all our boxes just read ‘glasses’ . We wished we were as thorough!

Most of you know she was a successful real estate broker, and I myself spent many days in her offices playing, working and even sitting in open houses with her. She was even a monumental part in the purchase of my home 12 years ago. You will never meet anyone more focused on the task at hand with everything she does.

Although Real estate was her life’s blood, I believe her passion was in her trees. She decorated the Most beautiful Christmas trees I have ever seen. Each one different and special with a touch only she could add. Every branch was symmetrically decorated with just the right pieces and details to make them perfect. If you are lucky enough to have gotten one, then you have a unique piece of her passion for beauty. But more than just the trees, the fun and banter between her and my mom during their crafting sessions was priceless.

As the days passed, it wasn’t as easy for her to get out and join us at all of our gatherings but when she did we certainly enjoyed her presence. Robyn and I spent many hours visiting her at home listening and telling stories, laughing, crying and just having a good time. I remember calling her and asking if I could stop by and visit and told her I was bringing my friend Jake. She got primped up with lipstick and all and I walked in with Jake, my St Bernard. Boy was she surprised when we saw my friend was a dog, but she always loved when we visited. He was a real therapy dog and he did his job because he made her smile – I can’t say the same for the cat though.

Of all my brothers and sister, I always felt a special closeness to her. Maybe it was because since my dad was out of town the day I was born – she stepped in. She continued to tell me the story of my birthday almost every time I saw her including when we went there 2 weeks ago. I am glad I got to hear the story of her talking to my dad on the phone, one more time.

I know I am missing a lot more stories like the birthday mass cards and the puppies but we can share those later.

Betty and Joanie, I know these last few weeks and days were trying and difficult for you and you were faced with many challenges you haven’t had before. I pray you find the strength to continue with a smile on your face holding on to your mothers loving memory’s to pull you forward. You did everything to make your mom as comfortable as possible and I know she is pleased. I also know that there is a large hole in your hearts at the loss of your mother, as there is in ours for my mother and now for yours. I can tell you that space will never be filled, but know that your mother loved you more than you can ever imagine and we all know that she is at peace.

I find comfort in knowing that all the siblings, Flo, Phil, Emily and now Ciocia Helen are all together once again and I am sure they are planning some real fun stuff for us up there – I don’t know if we should be excited or afraid.

Everyone who met Ciocia Helen knew exactly who she was, and what she was, and best of all there was never a dull moment. At the end of the day, sometime you just had sit back and smile. I believe everyone in this room, whether it is learning of something To do, or something Not to do, we are all better people for knowing her.

Ciocia Helen, I am saddened that you are no longer here with us on this earth but I am happy that you told me you loved me just this past Tuesday. You will always hold a special place in mine and all the hearts here. We Love you and you will be missed more than you will ever know.

Oh and Cioch - Tell Mom and Dad we said Hi!

by:Karen A. Liinangi 5/24/11

New Page

Hey all - check out my Kozmo's page. You can check your horoscope, get a number of different Tarot Readings and even get answers from "The Great Widgetini" Now that's cool!

Hopefully this will help you decide your future path for the day!

Have Fun!

Kal

2011 Garden

Well, I planted my seedlings yesterday. It is about 2 weeks later than last year. Should I have waited? Maybe. This morning we had a thunder storm - I hope they don't drown.











That's all.

Busy, Frustrated & Disappointed

I can't seem to describe how I feel - maybe if I talk about it for a minute the description will come to me. I am feeling really good about my business and I am really excited to start doing shows like craft shows and market fairs. I have had some financial issues and those are being handled behind the scenes. I am having a very confusing time with business issues like sales tax and licenses and the such so that is buzzing in my head. I have time to think about these things among other things.

I wonder very often what people think - NO - Not what they think of me but what they think and why - I find myself asking the universe - Do they even think about that or this? What are they thinking?

I also wonder how some people have the nerve to treat some people the way they do. ALRIGHT - I am aggravated at the way some people treat me - I know that they can't possibly read my mind and I don't always express my feelings to people but basic consideration and compromise do not seem to be in many individuals psychological make-up. Really, is it because they never learned it or they just choose not to use it?

I suppose I could ponder the question for awhile but I don't suppose that it has ever been answered by anyone. I give up but I believe I can describe my feeling as frustrated and disappointed!

No Longer a Virgin

It's a Big Big Day - With the help of the rest of the Kalz Korner team, my sister Robyn and brother Tim, we have written, created, filmed, edited and posted our very 1st YouTube video - how exciting. The best part was the Blooper section. Check it out...

Special Dayz Ahead

I am celebrating my 18000 day birthday on April 23rd this year!

I am very excited since I am delving into my quilting so deep. I have finished another quilt and I believe it is time I began marketing. I am having a milestone birthday and it will be splendid. I would like to mark that day as the day I - well I am not sure - maybe the day I post a Youtube video about my Living Memory Quiltz. Yeah that would be good.

I am going to start signing up for shows and events to display at. I really believe this is going to really take off - and I have all my measurements and specs defined. It only took me two days to make that large quilt I just posted today. The one I made for my friend for her birthday - but I will be giving it to her early.

I just wish I had a better photographic system to take better pictures. I am sure I know someone who could.

Too fun and prosperous times ahead.....

Living Memory Quiltz

***WE HAVE OUR FIRST ORDER***
The project has begun. My sister and I are creating Living Memory Quiltz! We are taking photos that are special to you and capturing those memories forever on a quilt you can either use for comfort or hang on display. Our sign is one such quilt - if you look at it closer you will see many squares have photos in them - some just for background effect.

I have created a paypal link on here to pay for them but silly me - I am still trying to figure out how to post the order form for download - I will get it I just want to make sure it is right. Of Course if you want to order one of my quilts I can certainly email you an order form if you just can't wait.

I will share the info with my friends and the world when it is completely ready. Below is the 'Breast Cancer Hope Quilt' that inspired me to branch out in all the other areas. I am currently working on the 'School Dayz' quilt for my daughter's.



Cheers to our new adventure Robyn!!!

New Things

Lots since my last post but forget all that - I am embarking on a new project and I am totally psyched about it. I will be posting pics and such. I can't wait I am almost ready to Roll Out the goods. Stay Tuned.....

Meditaion

I got up this morning and had coffee, breakfast, a shower and sat on the couch Indian style. I held opened my hands and did some deep breathing focusing on a calmness within me and while my eyes were closed Jake, my St. Bernard came up and placed his head in my lap.

That was all I needed. More Later.

Revelation or Escape?

I went to church today. I was not struck by lightening, fire and brimstone didn't rain down from heaven, nothing burst into flames and the sun was out when I left. I did have some strange emotions though. I am not sure why, maybe I felt bad for not going sooner - maybe I felt relieved that I finally took the step, maybe I was unsure what I was doing there but most of all I am not really sure I felt the need to go in the first place.

I am not quite myself lately. I need something different in my life - I have been consumed with certain paths that, for some reason, I just can't seem to make it down. Kinda like the hallway in Poltergeist. No matter how fast I run down the hall the door at the end gets farther and farther away. Maybe I have been trying to run down the wrong path.

I think that the real reason I went to church is because I have been having feelings I don't think are normal. Perhaps I believe that in going to church the sky would open up and send down an angel that is going to tell me exactly what to do.

I can't help but feel like I am losing all my battles - the FUNK so to speak - I just can't seem to get out of it and who knows, maybe this will help. It can't hurt, besides after the services there is a luncheon every week - can't be all that bad.

Now - guess what I get to do - organize paperwork so I can take my taxes in this week. Don't you just wish you could be here doing yours as well - I know you do - you are jealous aren't you?

Ta Ta for now

WOW! Stereopodgacism at its Best!

To find out what that means click here http://www.youtube.com/user/boeingtim#p/u/7/dzVy0W1OAfQ I had absolutely zero motivation today.

Seriously, All I did today is shovel my small drive and sidewalk, make breakfast (twice), make a steak and cheeze sandwich about 5, fed my dogs and watched TV - all day - I feel like I totally wasted the day away.

I had weird thoughts though. I watched a few episodes of Psychic Kids and Haunted History and Ghost Sightings shows. I had this idea, for a split second - or 20, that if I concentrated hard enough, I could make something on my coffee table move with my mind. I failed. But just so you know I am not a quitter, I will keep trying.

I am reading the book, Psychology for dummies (or idiots) or something, I just finished the section on Freud's' 5 stages of personality development or psycho-sexuality. Quite interesting - it definitely opened my eyes. For example, I now know that quite a few of the men I have been around in my life were definitely forced to quit breastfeeding earlier than they had hoped and it has made a huge dent in the personality progress.

My daughter graduated from Cosmetology School yesterday. She is SOOO Happy to be out of there and she can't wait to get a chance to work in a real salon. I am so proud of her.

Well i have to get back to my recliner and heating pad - I am missing my 25th viewing of Iron Man - sick of the movie but boy that Robert Downy Junior is so hot!

Ta Ta for now

Happy New Year!

It has been awhile - Hello Again,
There is must to share - First, I was laid off again December 17, I am having serious house issues and money issues and bills just suck!

I need to get out of the Funk that I have fallen into - I need to focus on something - I need to clean out and downsize - it is time to get rid of stuff. You never know when I may just have to pack up and impose on someone else - Gee that is a really hard thought. I have been in that position once before - well twice but one was a want - the last was a need.

I hate borrowing, sponging whatever you call it - asking - for help. Always have always will.

I need to find something to do work wise - something to make money - everyone tells me to put my craft skills to work. I guess that may be the ticket. But how lucrative is that? Something I guess is better than nothing.

Till later.....