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Letters from Lois
Letters from Lois

Date: March 11, 2022 at 3:04 PM EST
Subject: Another Writing

My Special Hero Day

It would be an understatement to say that “I don’t like snakes.”   In my lifetime I have moved many times and wherever I was going, I always checked what kind of snakes they had and how many, how big, etc.  So how did I end up in Florida where huge snakes are rising in numbers?   Oh well.   Truthfully, we don’t have many snakes in our area and that can be verified by the fact that we have lived here six years and I have only seen one little snake in my sister’s yard. There was no real danger other than me trying to run away.

Legend has it that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland.  Good job Patty!  One time my mother killed a snake in our basement with a hammer (while I was screaming from the top of the stairs).  I also watched her stomp one to death wearing only her bedroom slippers. A very courageous lady!

My heroes – snake bashers.  Not so bad compared to heroes we might be seeing in the movies or forced upon us by media.   Since Ironman was killed in the last Avenger movie, I have no modern hero to inspire me to save the planet.  He was it – he was my man – he had it all – good looks, rich, strong, nice uniform, could fly, and he certainly had enough power to kill snakes.  So, what do I do now? 

In Ireland St. Patrick is revered for his spread of Christianity and establishment of schools and churches and the day is more of a holy day rather than a holiday.   His popularity came to America with the Irish settlers and the first St Patty’s Day parade took place on March 17, 1737.  At one time he was the Irish hero but today the celebration of his day is more of a celebration of the Irish nationality with the wearing of green and eating traditional Irish food.  And I seem to remember the church voted St Patrick out of Sainthood.  How could that be? Surely someone who can influence people to drink green beer all over the world must be a real hero. 

Heroes surround us every day.  We see them all the time but don’t recognize them.  They are the fireman who run into burning buildings, the soldiers who march into battle, the policemen who face dangerous criminals, and the medical personnel who sacrifice their own safety to treat the ill.  Some are not as easily identified.  They are the people who have had tremendous losses but still go on loving and caring for others.  They are the people who have significant health problems but keep on going.   They are the caretakers who put someone else’s needs above their own.  They are the people who volunteer and sacrifice their own time and energy to do something for someone else. And I am sure I am missing a quite a few more of those not so visible.

Two thousand years after he lived, people are still having parades for St Patrick.  When will the parades begin for those heroes I just described?  They won’t.   What can we do?   We can listen to people and identify them as heroes in our lives, or in their own lives, and admire them as such.  We can also toast them on my special hero day.  Of course, I declare that is St. Patrick’s Day.  After all, he did drive the snakes out of Ireland.

Lois and her father on the farm

Date: November 25, 2021 at 5:36:28 AM EST
Subject: Thoughts for Today

Dear Friends and Family,

A look back on the past two years is like watching a horror movie. After the tremendous 2020 pandemic year of COVID, living in fear, losing some friends to the fight, the feelings of isolation and introspection of our lives, only to be followed by the crazy battle to get the vaccine, the still missing socialization of friends and family, and now a burdening inflation. Let’s just say that I have been tempted to go outside, look in the sky, and say, “what the hell” - or similar words.

I am through with COVID!!!  I have lost some great friends, many of my friends have had an increase Parkinson’s challenges, Dave and I officially tested positive, I spent 3 days in the hospital despite 2 vaccines, and still in isolation for the Holiday. I just want COVID to stop torturing the whole world!! There is an old movie starring Charlton Heston where Michelangelo is painting the Sistine Chapel. It is called The Agony and the Ecstasy. The pope comes in every day and asks, “When will you finish?”  Michelangelo answers, “When I am Through.”  Wording may not be exact but close enough.  I think it is time to ask someone “When will we finish with this COVID?” And I think the only person that can answer us is God.

I ‘ve thought about my relationship with God for a while now, especially this past year. I’m not running off to a nunnery or bathing myself in prayer. I am just wondering more and more about his presence.  There is an article in the current Reader’s Digest entitled “Work Out Your Worries by Writing.”  It talks about using expressive writing to face your fears, release your feelings and realize potential actions. It also says that it can strengthen the immune system. That is why I am writing today.

Back to God – I don’t think God likes to be questioned. He is a man, Jim, He is not a woman, and like many men, makes His way through with this plan for all of us and only He knows the ending.  For those who think you have lost touch with Him, you haven’t. He is with us for us to go on, although He sometimes feels far, far away.  He does like when we do things for others.  I know this for sure, I feel it. I don’t need the walls of a church to communicate with Him.  We don’t even talk much. I do my thing and He gives me strength to carry on.

So today, Thanksgiving, I am going to stand outside at 12 noon and look up and say, “Thank you God for getting my family through COVID.  Thank you for bringing me through my worst fears.  Thank you for giving me such a good life and such a fantastic family and all my wonderful friends near and far.”   And then I will say, “I just have one question.”  I can’t help myself.

>>>>>>>>>>  

Think about taking 5 minutes of your day today, at 12 noon, and no matter what your location, stand outside and look up and say whatever is in your heart and comes to your mind, express your feelings of gratitude, anger, sorrow, tranquility. Let Him know.  I am sending this to my friends, family and all the people from my email account. It won’t start a national movement, but I know that God will see us and wonder – what are they doing now?  And I know that we will be able to feel each other and that counts a whole big bunch.

Love always,

Lois

Lois and her sisters through the years.

Matilda, The Mighty Battle Maiden

Matilda, the mighty battle maiden, was indeed fierce when put on defense, but her sense of humor outshined any other traits.  She could tell a joke very well and always remembered them for years. Her laugh was contagious, no one could stay serious when Matilda laughed. When Petra did the dive over the couch in Vermont, Matilda’s laugh carried through the whole lobby and dining area and soon everyone was laughing.

Lynette was home at Christmas time when Matilda was quite pregnant with her first child.  It had snowed most of the day and there was significant accumulation.  Being Christmas Day, everyone was celebrating and not paying attention to the fact that no plows had gone through the street in front of the family home.   As everyone prepared to leave, Matilda realized that she had no boots.  No problem, Petra and Lynette took Matilda, ‘side by each’ as Matilda would say, to get her to the car.  In the middle of the street Matilda slipped to the ground.  She was not hurt but she rolled on her back and started laughing.  That was it.  There was no up-righting this mound of mother and baby while she was laughing so hard.  All anyone could do was laugh.  In fact, everyone was laughing so hard that the neighbor looked out her bathroom window to spy on the commotion, although, truthfully, that was a common practice.

Lynette also traveled to Alabama with Matilda and her family when Matilda was pregnant with her second child.  Despite the fact that this was nearly 1,000 miles, it was ‘ruled’ a non-stop trip.  Matilda was given 5 minutes to use the ladies’ room during gas fill ups.  Sometimes Matilda’s need to go came sooner than the need to get gas.  This was not urgent until Lynette thought that making Matilda laugh would distract her.   Wrong, but a very funny time getting fresh clothes for both sisters out of the trunk and changing in less than five minutes.

In later years, Matilda would go shopping on Black Friday with Lynette to procure on sale TVs that were used for promotions at Lynette’s job.  Matilda was always ready at 0430 and as they drove, they would play the Muppets Christmas CD.  Lynette, Matilda, and Jolie, often in attendance, would rock the car to annoy the professional driver and of course laughter pursued especially when Matilda sang Miss Piggy’s songs.

Matilda was a football fanatic and the most avid fan of her son’s basketball team.  You did not want to get between her and her teams.  Ask any referee in Tamaqua.

One of the last trips Lynette made with Matilda was to Ocean City, Maryland, where they were meeting up with sister Delilah.  Matilda had been teaching that morning so was nicely dressed in a dress and low-heeled shoes. As they arrived at the hotel, Lynette was unloading the car when she heard a small “help” come from behind her.  She turned to see Matilda standing in the parking lot, laughing hysterically, with her half slip down around her ankles, unable to move.  It is Lynette’s most treasured memory of Matilda.