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Picture taken by my friend Cyndi Leos....thank you Cyndi.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Sad News And Happy News---- Kinda...

Today, at 12:15am, New York time, my husband's favorite Aunt and God Mother passed away.  She would have been 98 years old in February. A few months ago, her blood pressure began to get so low she would faint. Before then, she managed her home in Orchard Park, cooked from scratch and did her own yard work. Her mind was "sharp as a tack" and carried on wonderful conversations. She was a total joy to be around. She had started to slow down and had a few falls, so two months ago, the family put her in Assisted Living.

In April, 2006, we flew back to visit her and see all my husband's cousins in Buffalo and Rochester.  We had a huge party at his cousin's home.  All we did was laugh, eat, sleep and poop.  No sooner would we wake up from a full stomach nap, Aunt Flora would be serving up another meal.  God, I love Italians...

Aunt Flora
(Notice what the pillow says?
"You can always spot a Lady".)

She and I would take long walks around her neighborhood.  OH MY LORD, the houses were so big and so far apart!  Beautiful big trees and creeks.  Squirrels scampering, flowers bursting up at first Spring.  We went to Vidler's 5 & 10 in East Aurora, New York... Talk about finding A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G you could ever want!  It was like going back in time to the 1950's...


We went to Father Baker's Lady of Victory Basilica, one of her most favorite places.  He also built an Infant Home for all the unwanted babies and helped unmarried teens.  He also built an Orphanage, Hospital and School.  Incredible.  Google it.  I may post about it some time and share my pictures...


We saw Niagara Falls, which was a life long dream for me to see.  I need to post about it one day as well..


Aunt Flora was a unique and wonderful woman.  She was first, last and always, a lady of the highest caliber.  So positive, so loving, so remarkable.  She joined her beloved husband, her infant daughter, brothers, sisters and a lot more family and friends in Heaven.  She will be greatly missed.

As for the happy news.... My husband found out this morning he was laid off. Sadly, fifteen other people were laid off too.  Eighteen other employees, who survived the lay off, had to take serious salary cuts.  His last day is next Thursday.  No severance either...

He was thinking of retiring the end of December, or April, or maybe June....(he could not make up his mind) and I wanted him to retire six months ago.  He was miserable there.  Things have not been the same for a couple years He HATED going to work.  This past year, he has been in charge of all the bad loans from all four banks.  Not fun. He was starting to get grumpy too...

When he returned from Mexico this past week, he asked me to pray they would let him go when he returned to work. Our prayers were answered.

We feel badly for the younger people who were let go, no one likes to see so many people without work...Luckily, he made a good enough salary so we have been able to save and prepare.  It was the main reason we moved here. We'll be OK... He wanted to save more, but I told him there is no dollar compensation worth more than one's health and happiness.  He has been in  banking fifty years. He is seventy-one years old (but looks like he is in his late 50's). He has raised six children and worked hard all his life.  He deserves time to do what HE wants....I am excited and looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.

9 comments:

Sultan said...

A very nice tribute.

betty said...

Aunt Flora sounded like a classy wonderful loving woman! You are right, she will be missed. I am so sorry for the family's loss, but I am so grateful she lived a long full life and it was only so recently that she had to go into assisted living; I think it is wonderful she kept her memory too

that is good news about your husband, Donna. I know what you mean, it is bittersweet for the young ones but I know it is something you had been hoping for (its kind of like with my husband, his work place is awful, he keeps hoping they'll let him go but he's still there, oh well; we just trust God, that's all we can do :)

I know it will be a good chapter in your life, Donna, and you guys will just do fine :)

betty

DJan said...

I think Flora is a beautiful person, and she sure didn't look her age! And for your guy being laid off, it's perfect! It's what he wanted, too. I retired at 65 and he's still working at 71? Now he can let go of that terrible hated job. Congratulations on his being laid off...

Mari said...

Sorry to hear about Aunt Flora. She sounds like a wonderful person!
Hooray for the answered prayer about the job though. You are so right about health and happiness being more important.

Donna B. said...

Big hugs to all of you for your support. I am so Blessed to have such wonderful blogging buddies!!

Chatty Crone said...

What a wonderful woman she was - a nice tribute, I am sorry for you and know for her - she is with the Lord. sandie

Marylinn Kelly said...

My condolences for Aunt Flora. You did well by her with your fine posting, she felt like someone I'd been fortunate enough to meet. And as long as you guys will be okay - and it was what you'd been praying for - then I'm happy your husband is able to leave a job that demanded much too much of him. To better days. xo

Donna B. said...

Sandie and Marylinn...thanks so very much for your kind words and support. I am headed over to visit you both. Hugs and love to both of you...

DrSoosie said...

A lovely tribute to a woman who lived life well and was obviously loved. I am sure she will live on in your memories.