Teresa Teegan...Memories to Warm the Heart!

I LOVE this picture...proud veteran!

Read the eulogy? Me? Seriously?... Sure, I loved your Mom, I've known her for over 30 years... and I'll be facing her 6 kids, sons and daughter-in-laws, and grown grandchildren? 

Well, I was honored - the sweet words exemplified Mrs. Teegan as I remembered, with some other very special antidotes that were fun to hear. How proud to remind everyone she was an Army Nurse during WW II, a school nurse for 20 years and the values she instilled in her family and friends. You know, growing up your friends parents have a bigger impact on you then you realize at the time... they are a second voice of reason, you know if they "like you" and there are just times sitting around the table with "other adults" that are not family is very comforting and familiar, it's how it always was for me at "The Teegans".

As I've recently been to a few (too many) of my friends parents wakes and funerals, I realize it's a part of life we all endure, like it or not, death is part of life - but it just "hurts so bad". I dig deep into my faith to believe eternal peace is something we all strive for, but it's not easy on the family walking behind a casket.

How I remember her most, with a grandchild in her arms!

I remember Mrs. Teegan for her soft hands, they always touched me physically, her big brown eyes, white hair and always talking about her children and grandchildren. She was just as sweet when I visited her a couple times in the lovely, small, caring home she resided in at the end. So now, my dear friend wakes up with a broken heart, an empty feeling and maybe not knowing what to do with herself... but please know that for as long as I can remember, Colleen ALWAYS talked about her Mom with such warmth, sincerity, honesty, and genuine caring AND with that Colleen wit that just always makes me laugh...
I find comfort to think that Teresa is now at peace after living a happy and full life, a little lost at the end when her dear spouse left her first, but fulfilled she made an impact on so many.

Pippin

Scott's recent posts...5 albums that remind you of high school. The first one that came to mind was Pippin, my all time favorite Broadway musical, it opened on Broadway in 1972 and ran until 1977, I saw the show 4 times. Ask my Mom and sisters, they too know the lyrics and score, I played my albums over and over. We did a performance in high school with the opening number, I also stage managed it at summer stock theatre in New Hampshire. The story is rather simple, Pippin is the life of "Pippin the Hunchback," the son of Charlemagne who is searching in life to "find himself"... at the end he thinks he must take his own life, it will be the only way he is remembered, but he is afraid, knowing it is wrong. At the end Catherine shows up and he decides to settle for love and not commit suicide... a very typical Broadway "simple" theme... Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, choreographed and directed by Bob Fosse (a genius) to me. I also loaded it into my iPOD, time to go and listen to it!!!

G.I. Diet....

Thank you Jim for telling me about your success with the G.I. Diet, I was shocked there was a diet I was NOT aware of (and it was nice to hear of his "easy success") ... Even after successful gastric bypass surgery, it's a forever "battle"... and hearing how many gain (plus some) all of their weight they lost - I admit, I'm a diet junkie for life! My surgeon said stats showed many post bariatric surgery patients gain 10% of what they lost 4-5 years post op... and I'm exactly at that rate... and have been for over a year, maybe I've hit my target weight and should just accept it... but NO - that may mean gain a pound. I admit, living with another post op patient (Phil) makes the daily struggle easier - but it's still a struggle and when our son is away at school, this is NOT the house to think you'll find ANYTHING sweet or "good" to eat... it's just NOT here!  I just purchased the G.I Diet book today, it's "easy" - 3 columns - red (don't touch food), yellow (touch moderately) and green (go to town)... that's what I call easy... it's a successful diet for diabetics... primarily low fat, and based on a glycemic index, with some easy to follow recipes... if nothing else, it's a good read and easy to follow. SO... for the upteenth-hundreth time, I'll have NEW items on my grocery list... "Oh God" 

My Memory Tree...

A cherry blossom tree. It was a must to me when we moved in and one of my favorite birthday gifts from my Mom... growing up we had a Cherry Blossom Tree and most pictures were taken in front of this tree. It seemed to be in bloom for all First Holy Communions, Confirmations and Mother's Day. This year it's in full bloom in April!! My sisters and Mom refer to our Cherry Blossom Tree too, we used to be able to climb ours. So I call this my memory tree and so look forward to it blooming every spring - today it's in it's prime and I just LOVE IT!

Cell Phone Etiquette...

OK... maybe going out on a limb... AGAIN! But does anyone else agree with me on some cell phone etiquette? If you are having a conversation with someone and their phone rings, do you think it's rude for them to "cut you off" and answer? Is it NOT the same as someone just interrupting you in the middle of a conversation? (This includes reading a text) I know there are extenuating circumstances, I'm sure I've been guilty of this too... but I want to make it a point of NOT TO DO IT anymore. Perhaps if you let the person know you are expecting an important call and you "may have to excuse yourself" first? I believe that is why we have the capability for our phones to take a message... so we can call the person back? AND... I don't want to hear your conversation when getting a pedicure or any other place I can't escape your "loud words"... PALEEZE!

Tom Hanks...

I find him hilarious, humble, handsome and honorable. Tom Hanks. He was just on David Letterman and he is just your all American likable guy... I have many favorite Tom Hank movies... but a few stand out and I think they are worth seeing again... some for a few laughs, some a few tears and some because they are just "feel good" flicks.

"Philadelphia"

Bragging Rights...

I'm the Aunt...that means I'm allowed to "brag"... well, be really proud! I just went to my first National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. I was so happy to see 75 students (primarily Juniors and 6 new Seniors) be inducted, I was never privy to this myself (even following my older sister who was inducted, and reminded by my Freshman Algebra teacher that I was not college bound like my very bright sister... a story for another blog)! What a very humble group of high achievers... it was a beautiful ceremony and I was honored to attend and be the "proud aunt"!

Congratulations Maggie... or as they said "Margaret"!

Recent thought...

As I was decorating for Easter (only 2 shopping bags)... and now thinking it's soon time to take them down ... I realized that this religious holiday, being our most sacred, and that the amount of effort that goes into celebrating (preparation/decorating) for Easter vs. Christmas is not comparable! The same with gift giving, a simple basket filled with a little candy, a new shirt and small token was so much appreciated, nothing else expected. A traditional Easter Hyacinth or Easter Lily and coloring eggs... easy, traditional, meaningful, festive... A day with family, no over-the-top fan fare, a small egg hunt that Grandma did... an easy and delicious buffet dinner we all contributed too. Lot's of tradition, favorite foods... everyone is happy!

So, what is my message.... can we ever scale down Christmas (which I love) to remotely compare to other holidays that are equally or more significant, without such commercial consumerism? What would it take?

Memories...

Found an oldie...a favorite! 
Easter in Florida...Downey Girls!