The light of Sunday morning was streaming in and the melodies of the day were bellowing through the air. Along with the scratching at the bedroom door of our two cats. Pumpkin and Dusty have a habit of being our second and third alarm clocks. It is just their way of saying get up and feed me. This week has been filled with the sorrow at the passing of a friend and happiness as our son Bob graduated from high school. The word bittersweet comes to mind as I sit at my new blog posting spot right by my picture window. Many people come into our lives as they say for a reason and a season. My dearest Rosie was a person with a big heart and loved by everyone. Her niece Jean had introduced us. While Jean and I were working at a local AAA office. There was an instant connection and shared believes in our faith. She made those to whom she met feel welcomed and part of her family. I had the great opportunity through Rosie to be introduced to Lebanese culture. The beauty to learn new words and eat the most delicious meals. To met new people from other cultures is always a highlight for me,

She had a beautiful devotion to our Catholic faith and believed that God has the best intentions for everyone of us. Even though we don‘t always see His plan until it is completed. Her devotion was also to her family which was pretty evident when she spoke of them. She was known by all as “Aunt Rosie” I had not seen her too much since moving back to Scranton and the pandemic put a damper on a lot of human interaction. So as,I sit here remembering about the time we spent together on this earth. You will be certainly missed by all you encountered on your journey; (especially Jeanie) ma’aasalaama my dear friend.

While the viewing for Rosie was starting my son Bob was preparing to graduate from high school. See how life has many interconnecting vines! The graduation was met with many challenges since there has been an uptick in gang violence this year. Sadly a young man was lost to a horrible act just two week ago. So naturally the school was on high alert, there would be no reading of your name to walk on stage .No shaking the principal’s hand to receive that hard earned diploma. A big disappointment for students and parents. Instead your diploma was on your chair and your name called row by row and student by student. Nevertheless, cheers were heard loud and clear by family members when hearing the name of their son or daughter. As graduation should be; a joyous occasion.

Hearing Bob’s name called, we screamed out his name and a big woohoo, like we were at a KISS concert. The adulation and declarations followed. With the graduates throwing their caps in the air creating a sea of maroon and gold. A priceless memory these young men and women will carry with them in their journey of life. Finding our way in the frantic pace to find our son. He was in the cafeteria were his high school career began. Beaming with so much joy, I just wanted to bottle up this happiness up for him. So he may savor it from time to time like, a bottle of fine wine. He kept exclaiming, “ I did it, I really did it.” In his exuberance he picked me up like a rag doll and swing me around. As a fellow graduate’s family did a native Nigerian dance of joy.
Such a beautiful sight to see another person’s way of expressing themselves.

As I sit here thinking about this week unfolding onto the page. It is a mixture of sorrow, gratitude, of memories made, of memories those near and dear to our hearts. As the olde adage goes life is what you make of it, make your best.