In Loving Memory of Mom...: 06/01/2009 - 07/01/2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

I needed that...

I had a GREAT time in PA this weekend. I think I needed the time away. Mom was, as always, on my mind as I watched her oldest and youngest grandson's go about their daily routines. I had so much fun playing with Gavin...from feeding the Ducks, to playing Sorry and Candyland to enjoying the Aquarium and Please Touch Museum. Mason is just the greatest little man. He is such a good baby.
Thanks Bob & Sandi for the time away...I needed that.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Opting out...

This Saturday, June 26 is our family's Father's Day Picnic. What? That passed already. I know that's what you are thinking, but here's the story.
John and I started this years back. Oh, 6+ years I would say and yes it was started on Father's Day as a way for everyone to get together and have fun. We eventually moved it to the Saturday before (to much to do on a Sunday with work the next day). Two years ago it was moved to June 9. The day just seemed to work and only God knew how important that day would become. The weather wasn't that great...kind of overcast but everyone was there. We had family come from out of state...Bob, Sandi and Gavin from Pennsylvania and John's Aunt and Uncle from New Jersey. It was a great day and one that I will always remember. There was fun, food and soft ball games. Mom wasn't feeling that great but we all thought it would be a great idea for her to come and get out a little. She did great. Played with the kids and got to see everyone for what would be the...last time. Who knew what would transpire just hours later the next day. Who knew that our world would come crashing down.
The picnic did not take place last year but this year it's back on, late but back on. But here's the problem. I just can't bring myself to go. Silly, yes but nevertheless painful. The last time we were there, we were there with Mom. Here one day and gone the next. I am opting out of the picnic and taking myself to PA for the day. It's not that I don't want to go and be a part of the fun it's just that I can't. I just can't do it without breaking down. Some may think I am silly for feeling this way but it's the way I feel. I can't go and have fun there. Maybe in time. Maybe next year.
But this year I am opting out...

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Happy Birthday Michael & Mia

Want a Sticker? Staring Mia Skye

Coming soon... Habba Gabba DaddyMia

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Round up of the last couple of days...

So where have I been. I've been here. Taking a back seat and letting others post there feelings, thoughts, memories. Wednesday was Mom's two year Heavenly Anniversary. John and I spent some nice quite time at the cemetery. That evening we all (all meaning all that were here in New York. Bob, Sandi, Gavin & Mason were home in Pennsylvania) went out for dinner to Ciao Baby! One of Mom's favorite restaurants. We had a nice dinner. It started out with tears when the waiter asked us what we were celebrating...umm, silence and then John explained. Michael gave a toast to Mom and we all had a nice time.
I spent the rest of the week getting the house together for the Memorial party. We had a great turn out and Mom was there in spirit. Stories were told, tears were cried but we did it together. Mom has touched so many lives that I know that her spirit lives on. She lives on in every one of us. She is watching us from afar but I am confident that one day we will all be together again, rejoicing together. But until then I will continue to shed my tears wishing and hoping that I could have just one more day with her. To see her face, hear her laughter, smell her perfume and just be together.
The post before this was written by some family members at the Memorial BBQ. I had the computer set up for those who wanted to leave a memory. It's hard to do...just me I know. A few started and could not go on. It's okay. I understand. The ones that left a memory...thank you, it's such an honor to have.
Mom...know that I miss you so much that it hurts. I hope that I am doing you proud in everything I do.
Happy Heavenly Anniversary!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Share a Story...Leave a Memory...

Please share a story about Mom or simply leave a message about her... Thanks for sharing.

Judy will always have a special place in mine and my wife's heart because of the LOVE that she radiated. I =We always loved coming to visit because she made us feel that we were right at home. Always a smile on her face even when she wasn't feeling well. We love and thank GOD that we had the opportunity to have known such a WONDERFUL PERSON. We know that we will all be together one day for eternity until then we LOVE YOU JUDY.
~POPPA JOE & PALMA
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Judy was like my grandma. No not like, she was my grandmother. She always made me feel loved when I would visit my Aunt and Uncle. Every time I would come over either during a school vacation or a weekend I would always be with Judy. I used to always go to work with Judy and i would have so much fun with her cause she was one of the most funniest and wonderfulest person I knew. I think one of the funniest memory I had with Judy is when I had a loose tooth and Judy and Aunt Christine would chase me all around the house until that tooth was out. I remember one time they would threaten me saying they would get a wrench and pull it out if they had to. Every weekend I used come over my uncle and aunts and I feel bad because I haven't done that in a while, since Judy passed; and i don't quite know why i don't, i think its because I'm used to Judy being around and it feels weird without her, but really she never left us. Maybe physically, but if we keep her alive in our souls and hearts she never really left. I miss you Judy, and I still love you and always will. You will always be in my heart.
Love you, Taylor
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Judy was a great person. She always made me feel welcomed at her home. She always had a smile on her face and always brought joy and laughter where ever she went. She will be missed greatly.

~CUZ JAY
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I WILL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST TIME I EVER MEET JUDY. JOHN WAS DATING CHRISTINE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND HE BROUGHT ME ALONG WITH HIM. WHEN WE PULLED UP JOHN CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA. HE HAD A FLYER FOR A GYM IN HIS CAR AND TOLD ME TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND TRY TO SELL HER A MEMBERSHIP. I WAS LIKE 11 YEARS OLD AND IT WAS LATE. JUDY WAS TRYING TO BE NICE ABOUT IT, BUT WAS WONDERING WHAT THE HELL I WAS DOING... SHE TOLD ME NO IN A NICE WAY AND SENT ME AWAY. WELL A FEW MINUTES LATER JOHNNY WENT INSIDE AND TOLD HER HE FOUND ME PEAKING AROUND THE HOUSE.. SHE WAS LIKE WTF... IT WAS PRETTY FUNNY... ALSO WHEN WE WENT TO LAKE GEORGE AND ON EVERY ROLLER COASTER WE WENT ON ALL OF US KEPT YELLING JUDY, THERE WAS LIKE 15 OF US.. ALL SHE KEPT DOING WAS LAUGHING.. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL ALWAYS MISS...HER LAUGH, AND TALKING ABOUT OUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS WHEN EVER WE SAW EACH OTHER.... RIP JUDY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED.
~AMANDA ROJAS
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I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF MY MOM! THRU GOOD TIMES AND BAD SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME. THERE IS ONE TIME OF YEAR THAT I CAN NEVER FORGET AND THAT'S CHRISTMAS TIME. CHRISTINE, MOM AND I WOULD MAKE STRUFALAS EVERY YEAR AND EVERY YEAR MOM WOULD GET MAD AT US BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO MAKE LIKE 3 LBS. OF THEM. AS CHRISTINE WAS FRYING, I WAS CUTTING AND MOM WAS ROLLING AND CUTTING. AS MOM WAS LOOKING AROUND TO FIND ANOTHER INGREDIENT CHRISTINE AND I WOULD STEAL DOUGH AND HIDE IT SO THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE UP ALL NIGHT MAKING THEM!!! I THINK MOM ALWAYS KNEW THAT WE WERE GONNA DO THAT SO SHE WOULD MAKE A LOT MORE THAN SHE NEEDED BECAUSE OF US.
THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK TO CALL MOM AND ASK HER A QUESTION ABOUT THE BABY OR JUST TELL HER THAT I LOVE HER. THE DAY SHE DIED SHE TOOK A PART OF ME AND I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL EVER FIND THAT AGAIN! WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT I WILL SEE HER AGAIN!
MOM I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW WHAT U MEAN TO US AND THAT WE ARE ALL LOST WITHOUT YOU. YOU'LL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS.
~TERESA
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Hi Christine and John.
This is Helene. Michelle's mom.. I just want to thank you both for including me in your moms memorial picnic.

Your mom was a very special lady who the few times I met her. I felt totally at ease and comfortable with and that's a lot for me.. cause I"m not too comfortable meeting new people.. But your mom.. was a wonderful woman and I felt very blessed to have known - if only for such a short time.

Please don't think for one moment. I wasn't thinking of your mom. while I was at your house. I was. and she has always been in my thoughts and prayers as are both you and John.. and I keep praying that your little 'one' will be coming to you SOON..!!!!
Your house. OMG.. It's truly a HOME. Its a work of art.. you have great taste and have really put together a place of total comfort and elegance.. Your house, reflects you both.. You have a lot to be proud of..

John, I met your mom and instantly felt like I know her.. She's a super lady .. It was great meeting her.

You are both very special people.. What you did for Jer.. was 'way beyond the call of duty' and he and Michelle both appreciate it. more than words can say.

As I said. you BOTH are wonderful - compliment one another and you can see the love between .. I hope you and John always from now.. have only happiness and health in your lives.

Thank you again.. for making me feel 'welcome'..

Losing my own mom.. just 4 months ago.. as you know. is very hard and tomorrow.. I close on her house.. so that's going to be hard... But we go on.. as we are supposed and we 'as I say.. "Fake it till we make it. My own way of dealing with things.. Put on that smile/or try to.. and just keep on doing it.. until it 'becomes more natural.. Hard. losing someone we love is devastating.. But like I said. We go on.,

Hey, on a happier note.. I want to tell you again. Christine. You looked wonderful. LOVE your hair..

Take care.
Love Helene

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Two years of missing you :-(

Steven posted this lyric from the musical artist Nas. The song is called Dance.


"Thinking of how amazing she was.

A angel gave me love

I'm thankful, to ever know a women so real

I pray when I marry my wife'll have one of your skillz

But mom you could never be replaced

I'd give my life up Just to see you one more day

To have One more dance with you mama."

R.I.P mom ... 2 years feels like yesterday:'(
~~~~
I think this says it all.

John

Monday, June 8, 2009

Hard week...

This is going to be a hard week. I am not sure what to write. I don't think that I will have some ingenious, well thought out, post. You may have signed on to see what will/has she written. I really don't know. I am very emotional and the thought of Wednesday brings tears to my eyes. How is Wednesday suppose to be like any other normal day? It's not for me, and I think the fact that the rest of the world will just be worried about getting over hump day makes me feel worse. Thinking about the day hurts and hurts bad. So what will I write as the week goes on...who knows. All I know is that I miss my Mom and that feeling just sucks!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Memory Marker...


You will never be forgotten

For though we are apart

You are always and forever

Alive within my heart.




Wednesday, June 3, 2009

A week from day...

two years ago, my life was changed forever. It's so sad to think about that tears immediately fill my eyes.
If I only knew what was coming. If I knew that the next seven days would be my last with Mom, what would I have done? What would we have done? Did we fight? Did we disagree? Did I drive her crazy? Was she as happy as she could have been? Did I tell her that I would do something next week not knowing there wasn't one to be had? Did I tell her that I loved her? Did she know?
I know that life doesn't work that way and I guess in a way I am glad for that. Knowing what's going to happen is sometimes worse than something happening. How would we have prepared for this had we known? There isn't a right or wrong answer here.
Life isn't easy and Life certainly isn't fair...

Monday, June 1, 2009

June is here...

and with that comes much sadness.

Nana and her babies...

Nana and her babies...
Gavin, Matthew & Mia with Nana taken Easter Morning 2007