Dear Kelly, Kirsten, and all the grandkids,
First I love you.
I can't believe that I am sitting in front of my computer writing this.
Your Mom and dad took me in off the street and gave me a home, food to eat and clothes to wear. I was one of many people who your parents asked God to send them so they could better bless their community. Live out their Christian Catholic faith. "Because they needed to add more to their plate" along with raising three children, volunteering at the school, working with the youth. Carwashes, dances, Saint Vincent De Paul food baskets and delivering them, and yes the retreats. Your parents seemed to have an endless fountain of love and energy that they drew from. they shared this fountain with me, by helping me get to know what a Father is suppose to be from Jack. I finally understood how God our Father truly loves. Viv gave me my first Bible which I still have today and is peeling apart but I can't get rid of, on purpose. I shared so many Cursillos and Fourth day evenings with your Mom, Nancy Olson, Barb M., etc. Then we would let the guys come in to have their cake and coffee.Bad Kee would go and hop on Carl Olsons lap.
How many Mornings sitting with your mom having coffee and solving all the problems of the world. Backing out of their driveway and running over the metal garbage can. Your mom scolded me and by the third time I had to buy her a new one.
Watching your parents, parent you taught me how to be a better mom to Hope. Teaching me that people were more important than things. Vivy tucking Kirsten in bed with Angel of God my guardian dear. Jack giving Kirsten a blessing before she left for school each morning. One time Kirsten running back because she forgot to get her blessing. With Kelly, Viv loved you and those cute redheads. Then I look at your parents love for each other. How they respected each other. How they loved. God places people in our lives for a reason and I truly mean it when I say I'm a graduate of the Garvey Household. My heart is forever etched with the love I recieved from them and from Erik John. I can't make it home Thursday but I will be offering up my prays at Mass for her.I will be there in Spirit. I know someday I'll here Coffee, Cookie here you should eat something. (((Hugs))