Making Strides for Breast Cancer ~ Team Kristy

Hugs and kisses,

Sharing multiple files

Sharing multiple files

This aptly describes my childhood. I could not have been born at a better time in this world of ours. Read and you will understand. WE ARE A GENERATION THAT WILL NEVER COME BACK A generation that walked to school and then walked back. A generation that did their homework alone to get out asap to play in the street. A generation that spent all their free time on the street with their friends. A generation that played hide and seek when dark. A generation that made mud cakes. A generation that collected sports cards. A generation that found, collected and washed & returned empty coke bottles to the local grocery store for 5 cents each. Then bought a Mountain Dew and candy bar with the money. A generation that made paper toys with their bare hands. A generation who bought vinyl albums to play on record players. A generation that collected photos and albums of clippings. A generation that played board games and cards on rainy days. A generation whose TV went off at midnight after playing the National Anthem. A generation that had parents who were there. A generation that laughed under the covers in bed so parents didn't know we were still awake. A generation that is passing and unfortunately it will never return!! I loved growing up when I did. I could not have had a better childhood. I only wish our grandchildren could grow up the way we did. We were a family of ten kids and we could always bring a friend to dinner at the very last minute. Mom would cook extra potatoes and vegetables. These were the very best days of my life. Trust me, our Mom was a saint!!❤ Hugs and kisses,

I have not posted to this blog in such a long time. But I have visited it often. I love rereading our wonderful memories. Zack is 22, enjoying his first Ford F-150 and working full time. Kara is 21 and a Junior at SUNY Oneonta. She is enjoying her college days and living in an apartment off campus. Emily is 16 and thrilled to be-bop around in her car while she tries to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. Alex is 15 and thrilled with his Senior ring and all his sneakers. He loves playing soccer and basketball. We are busy with our new condo being painted and trying to find needed wall decor. Life has been very busy for all members of our family. This is a good thing. We are all growing and developing our lives. This will take time. I am 74, almost 75, and I still am not sure what I want to do with my remaining time. But when I think deeply about it, I am doing exactly what I want to do. I want to be a loving wife, a great Mom, a loving Nana, a good friend and, all in all, a nice person. I truly believe I have achieved most of this. Hugs and kisses,

Amanda's Eighth Heavenly Birthday ~ January 16, 2016

This date has come around yet another time. And again we sent balloons to our Sweet Angel. This year we are in Florida, so they were set free from our favorite beach in Deerfield. The water glistened from the reflection of the bright yellow sun. It was a perfect day.

The beach was crowded. Everyone was having fun enjoying the day. They had no idea the holes in Ken's and my heart were hurting. The years pass, but the pain does not. The only change is that we have somehow learned to live with the pain. And that is what we will do until we meet our Sweet Angel again. Papa and Nana love you, Amanda Lynn, to infinity and beyond.

PS ~ Don't know if I ever mentioned Amanda has the middle name of her mother.
Hugs and kisses,
Nana

Amanda's Seventh Heavenly Birthday ~ January 16, 2015

It is so hard to fathom that Amanda was born into Heaven seven years ago. I can still feel her in my arms and touching her sweet face. She is so beautiful; looking so much like her Mommy. But those feet. They are definitely her Daddy's.

Because I was not able to go to the cemetery this year, Ken and I sent seven white balloons floating high into the sky. Most of us visualize Heaven as "up." Wherever it is, we hope Amanda got to see our celebration of  her birth. We spent time talking about the short time we shared with our youngest granddaughter and just how much we love and miss her.

I often feel Amanda's presence, especially during difficult times in my life. I know Amanda is always there for all of her family to call on for strength. I was recently hospitalized with a serious illness and I saw our sweet angel there to give me the strength I needed to fight to live.

Amanda, I think of you each day and will until the day we are together. I love you with all my heart.

Hugs and kisses,

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk ~ October 19, 2014

Kristen and her team walked again this year through Washington Park in Albany's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. She walked as a two year breast cancer survivor. My day was filled with so many emotions; happiness, sadness, laughter, tears, bad memories, good memories. The list is very long.

I am over the moon that Kristen walks as a breast cancer survivor. I am sad for those I saw walking who were bald and looked so ill. I remember being told Kristen had breast cancer. I remember how painful it was for all who love Kristen to see how sick the cure for her cancer made her. I have never lived through a bad situation in my life that something good did not evolve from it. Those good memories I keep in my heart. I am still waiting to learn the good that came from this demon. I will wait. It will happen.

Throughout Kristen's treatment I did not shed tears only because she told me she had to be surrounded by positive people. I occasionally cry when I think back at all our sweet daughter had to endure. And she did it not alone, but with the love and help of many more people than you see in this picture. God, family and friends stood by Kristen's side. And I thank them.
Hugs and kisses,