7-11-2014

Beautiful summer morning.... ran through Frear Park then up Oakwood Ave and into St. Peter's Cemetery.   I chose this route today as a dear family friend, Mary Mahoney, mother-in-law of my sister Noreen Mahoney, will be laid to rest here tomorrow morning.   A life-long resident of Troy, beloved mother and grandmother,  one of the most gracious and generous people I've ever met, Mary was 90.  After a bit of searching,  I found the stone grave marker, "Mahoney," in the center of the cemetery on a grassy knoll next to a grand old tree.  There were the names of Mary's husband, Justin, and daughter, Laurel, who left this world before her.  "It's a beautiful spot, Mary," I said. 
Birds flitting by, crickets chirping, the smell of freshly mowed grass.  Tomorrow there will be heart-wrenching grief here -- children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends mourning the loss of this wonderful woman.  Mary's great spark will live on in all of them.  In years to come there will be sunshine on this hill, birds flitting by, crickets chirping --signs of life to remind the living to appreciate it all, every moment, and try to be a little kinder and love a little more, like Mary.  Exiting the cemetery, I heard Mary's spirit saying not to cry but to "smile for Jack and Ry" -- (Mary's grandsons.; my nephews).  Just like you, Mary, to always be thinking about brightening someone else's day.