Good morning everyone,

December 11 is a personal Holy Day for me. It is the 19th anniversary of the death of my beloved father, Maurice J. DiBlasi. I remember my father as a man who loved celebrations of all kinds. Any excuse to have a party with family and friends, laughter, festive music, balloons, delicious food, and of course, cake, and my father was all in. He loved a good party! During the last days of his life, my father often told us he was going to “the big party in the sky!” This image of what my Catholic father believed Heaven would be like, gives me comfort and makes me smile. I love picturing my father partying with all his departed loved ones, Jesus, Mary, and all the saints and angels. Now, each time someone dies, I take a moment to hold them in my heart and say out loud, “Well Dad, someone else is coming to the big party. Take good care of them.”

This week, I attended the HHH Community Memorial service where the lives of residents who died in November were remembered: Rodney Huntoon, Jean Sweatt, Joyce Lovejoy, Warren Geissinger. Sadly, during the first week of December we have had more losses: Roberta Matthews. Doris Phippen. Ginny Knause, Fran Andersen and Ellie Wells.
Whether I knew the resident or not, I took a moment to hold each of them in my heart and picture them hanging out with their loved ones and my Dad at a “big party in the sky.” I invite you to join me in remembering these beloved residents and the loved ones in your personal life who have died, by picturing them in whatever way brings you comfort and, maybe, even makes you smile.

With blessings of comfort and joy,
Marianne
CPE Intern