My sister, Rose, moved to heaven on July 11, 2021.She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in late April.
I traveled to Indianapolis Tuesday July 13. Her funeral service was Saturday, July 17. She was 86 years old.
At 19 Rosie married Frank Mascari. They were married in the Catholic rectory early in the morning since it was during Lent. Frank had a few days leave from the military. I think they left for the base later that day.She was the 2nd oldest of us 6 sisters...the 3rd oldest of 11 siblings. This is one of a few times when we were all together.Sally, Rosie, Paula, Kate, Georgia, Betty
While going through pictures for display we came across the only photo of my entire family...including John's bride, Susie.
Back:Pete, Mom, John, (Susie), Pop, Fred, Georgia Seated: Kate, Rosie, Betty, Paula, Sally
Corner pictures: Nick, Eugene
Here's one of my favorite family pictures before I arrived on earth.
Rose (in back left corner) with Mom, Sally, Paula, Pete and Fred
Rose with Mom at the family cabin in northern Wisconsin the year I graduated high school
Putting a picture board together...
Stephanie, Kate, Nick, Geo
Rose is interned in a mausoleum, as are Mom and Pop
Siblings and Frank,
John, Kate, Frank,
Betty, Paula, Georgia
(Sally and Fred were unable to attend)
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I had opportunity for family socializing also that week.
Attending an outdoor concert of 80 member orchestra of young adults to 95.
Fountain in Garfield Park, Indianapolis
I visited here several times while growing up and many visits to the city
A misty drive to southern Indiana, Brown County
Lunch with family in Nashville, Indiana
Visiting with our oldest sister, Sally in Nashville
Pizza and Catan with family...
Mexican Train Dominoes until 1:30AM
Sharing young Katie's horse riding adventure!
Learned the difference between a horse and a mule!
Ask me sometime...
"The corn is as high as an elephant's eye!"
A classy lunch at John and Susie's
Followed by Mexican Train Dominoes
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Time to leave...after scrambling to find a different flight when my original one was cancelled a few hours earlier.
A 2 hour layover at O'hare airport Chicago Just enough time for a jaunt through the tunnel, a look at a dinosaur skeleton, and a fancy meal.
And a realization one must allow that much time to figure out where to go and how long to get there. In the tunnel they post the minutes until you get to where you need to be..
Landing in PDX, Home again!!
REFLECTIONS
I was grateful to have a week in Indianapolis with my family. The time was comforting and healing. I was not there the day of her actual passing and not able to grieve with the rest of my siblings. It was good to be included in the days before and after her service.
I am the only sister not living in the area. I didn't grow up with my family because of circumstances but we love each other very much. In recent times I have visited them about once a year. We catch up on all the latest with everyone, do extra socializing, enjoy lots of eating and soak up the unspoken affection we share.
Now that I am back home in the Pacific Northwest I have time to rest and emotionally process what has occurred in the past four months.
My thoughts are with my siblings and the realization we are all over 70 years old. Our time of leaving this world grows closer. I look forward to when we are all united again as youthful, healthy persons and I have eternity to hang out with them in "the renewal of all things"
(Matthew 19:28).
This has been a good 3 GeoGram weeks in the life of Grandma G.
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.'" (John 11:25)
