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Social media can be a wonderful thing, and Facebook is just one of the many social media outlets where you can stay connected with friends, family, businesses and more.
On Easter Sunday, there were hundreds of posts wishing everyone a Happy Easter or Passover. Tons of photos posted of family, children on the Easter Bunny’s lap, Easter egg hunts, even pictures of families at church.
One such family appearing often on social media is the ever-expanding Lucarella family of West Pittston. A family member posted a photo of the entire family while at the Second Presbyterian Church, Pittston — all 25 of them.
A lot of folks were posting photos of themselves on the bunny’s lap. Granted, many were in black and white, but it was pretty cool to see personal histories of days gone by. Renee (D’Angelo) Giunta posted her photo with the bunny and, even though she was about 2 years old in the photo, you can tell it is Renee. Her facial features haven’t changed much since that photo.
Patty Gothard Besz, of Wyoming, had the chance to enjoy her daughters and grandchildren over the holiday. It was the first Easter in many years they were all together.
I was surprised to see many photos of Easter Pizza, a traditional area delicacy some call pizzagaina. My mom never made it, but my longtime friend Paul Argenio’s mom Mary did. I looked forward to that each and every year.
Watching little baby Ellie Cefalo at Easter time with mom Jacqueline and dad Michael has been a lot of fun. Ellie just turned 1 not too long ago and seeing her with the bunny through a new set of eyes is a joy to experience.
Mike and Danielle Saia are new parents, as well, with baby Graziella. Graziella will celebrate her first birthday in just a matter of days and it’s safe to say, she had a great Easter. I particularly loved the photo of her wearing bunny ears. Whose heart doesn’t melt when you see a baby wearing rabbit ears?
After having Easter dinner with family last week, I visited my 87-year-old mother at River Run nursing home in Kingston. Seeing your mom suffer with dementia is not an easy thing. I went through the same scenario with my dad many years ago when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 53. It was rough then and it’s rough now.
As I enter the building, I always have trepidations about which mom I will see that day. Sometimes, she’s fairly “with it” and we can have a good conversation. Other times, not so good.
I took mom a slice of lemon meringue pie (one of her favorites) and a homemade peanut butter egg to enjoy for the holiday. As I get off the elevator, I usually see her sitting in her wheelchair near the nurse’s station, but that day she was not. I walked past the nurse’s station, made the right hand turn and looked down the long hallway.
There she was, slumped over in her chair covered in a blanket. My heart started racing as I approached her. I began to call her name, no response. I even shook her a few times, but she was out cold. Mom has a tendency to live like a vampire as she is up all night and sleeps during the day.
After several attempts, I turned and walked away. I asked one of the aides if they could save mom’s treat and they obliged. It was a sad way to end the holiday. Seeing my mom like that on a day that she so loved during my youth was depressing.
This visit did not turn out as I had hoped. At the end of my previous visit, I said my goodbyes, gave my mom a kiss and, as I walked away, she called out my name. I turned to her and she said, “Come here and give me a hug.” She never did that before and, as I was hugging her, I did everything I could to hold back the tears.
I’m so thankful for nursing facilities like River Run. I can sleep easier knowing she has round-the-clock care. I hope she was able to enjoy her pie and chocolate.
Quote of the week
“To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.” – Kofi Annan, Ghanain diplomat, seventh United Nations secretary-general.
Thought of the week
“Life is a challenge, meet it! Life is a dream, realize it! Life is a game, play it! Life is love, enjoy it!” – Sai Baba, Indian spiritual leader
Bumper sticker
“No one can enjoy freedom without trembling.” – Emile M. Cioran, Romanian philosopher