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About this blog: I developed a special interest in helping seniors with their challenges and transitions when my dad had a stroke and I helped him through all the various stages of downsizing, packing, moving and finding an assisted living communi...  (More)

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A Living Tribute

Uploaded: Oct 14, 2018
My wife was reading me a very touching obit in our local paper the other day. The woman who passed away was not only very accomplished but sounded like a very kind, caring, loving, humorous person. There were accolades and superlative galore.

I started to wonder if she was aware while alive of all the wonderful attributes she was appreciated for. I think the obit is a wonderful way to communicate about the life of someone that some readers may know, some may have heard of, and some have never met. I particularly like to read the ones in the NYTimes which are often very inspiring.

But why do we wait until someone is gone before we sing their praises. Or at least let them know how we feel about their lives up until now, and how it might have even inspired us already. It seems that it might be better to say “She IS always willing to go the extra mile” today rather than “She WAS always willing to go the extra mile” after she is gone.

If you would like to use this blog as a vehicle to express your love and appreciation for someone special in your life who is still with us, please feel free to do that. And don’t keep it a secret from the one you are writing about. Let them know there is something they might want to read and how to find it.

I’ll start it off with the lyrics of a song I recently wrote for my wife. She brings art and joy into the lives of the many recipients of the letters she has written to folks over the years by skillfully applying the many tiny pictures (stamps) where normally one would do.

She arranges her stamps, on a clean white canvas
As only her mind could compose
Whatever their value, they perform the tiny dances
As only her mind could suppose
Community.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Hanky, a resident of Southgate,
on Oct 14, 2018 at 6:07 pm

Hanky is a registered user.

Hi MAX, a great story; I agree totally. I'm of "pioneer" Californian stock. Now, I'm a Texan. My aunt was Hazel Robertson, the founding Dir of the Palo Alto Children's Theater - benefactor Lucy Stern. From what I can learn: Hazel passed the baton to Pat Briggs; upon her death, to Mr. James J. Lucky? - don't know who the current Dir is/if there is even one? When Hazel passed in 1983 her papers were given to PACT. I guess Pat kept them at the PACT until her death. I returned to PA for the '68 PALY 50th reunion; July 2018. I visited the PACT - last time I was there was in 2008; I believe Pat was still the Dir. Hazel's portrait adorned the mezzanine. Not there now - 7/18 spoke to the fellow in charge. He indicated that the archives of PACT along w/Hazel's portrait had been Xferred to a holding area until completion of renovations of the Stern Community Ctr were finished.
Contacted a classmate to find out where the archives went. He contacted Mr. Steve Steiger; curator of the PAHA archives @ Cubberly. Apparently he was clueless - and indicated to my friend that he check out Mr. James Judge Lucky's Atlanta, GA web-site. (upon research; the current adjudications between Mr. Lucky and the City of PA seem a smoke screen).
I had previously forwarded to my friend who has resided in PA since childhood, Hazel's, Celebration of Life testimonials. She touched many children's lives during her Directorship.
Upon her return from the Middle-East; she outlined a children's book, and rough-drafted a few chapters - the protagonist was a young Moslem boy named Ali. As I recall, they were among her papers donated to the PACT in '83.
Hazel didn't return to the project - choosing to become an English teacher at Ravenswood HS in the mid-'60s. She taught, counseled and loved all her students while there.
I agree w/you Max; we lose a bit of ourselves, when we forget our past heroes/heroins. Would appreciate it, if you're cohort could help me find out where Hazel's papers came to rest. Thanks for you're ear. Hank


Posted by Hanky , a resident of Southgate,
on Oct 18, 2018 at 4:36 pm

Good news; my friend has been in contact w/Ms Gaboury, PA Community Svcs. She indicated that PACT archives were being stored in temperature-safe storage facility. She is running down the location. The responsible individual is the Artistic Dir/Archive Mgr for PACT. Apparently there are/were insufficient funds in the PACT budget to pay for sorting/cataloguing. Will keep all interested up to date. Thanks to all for the interest. Hanky


Posted by C. Shaner, a resident of another community,
on Oct 18, 2018 at 9:47 pm



I so love "clean white canvas" and "the tiny dances" ! This seemed so loving and was
so skillfully done ! Thanks for this treat, and for the idea to spread appreciation now !

Chris Shaner


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