Friday, February 15, 2019
Dear Kathy, Linda, Mary, Joe, Teresa, Michael and Tony...
You all are like family to me. In fact, through your presence at my own parent's recent funeral, I received comfort, which exceeded that coming from some of my own family members. This is because your mom & dad, and my mom & dad loved each other; and understood that Christian family extends beyond blood ties.
Such love and caring were passed on to you, and to me. And I am so grateful for that.
Some of my earliest memories in life are of the times I shared with your family, on Coombs Street in Bangor...where your mom, Greta, ALWAYS heaped mounds of food and love for anyone who entered the Bernatche home.
I remember fondly, the many days hanging out there, with my Mom, Paula, and Greta [throughout the 1970s and 80s they were pretty inseparable]... I remember Don, leading the praying of the Rosary, before eating those big meals...
I remember all the popcorn [made with real butter !] we devoured in your living room...
I remember the U.S. flag and portrait of President Kennedy on the wall in the room between the kitchen and living room...
I remember summer days out in the yard, playing with Mike & Tony [including in Don's fishing boat, parked on a trailer !]. I also remember you all coming over to our house-- including jumping on the beds: me, Matthew and Teresa ! You came down to our camp on Big Lake, too [even brought Don's boat with you, which Joey skippered !]... We had so much fun with you all there, and at our place in Veazie-- where Mike and Tony and Matthew and I explored together the woods, sandpits and pastures.
In more recent years, I was received by Teresa, and Ryne & Don, at their place on Dartmouth Street-- with the same kind of hospitality and warmth I had always received at the Coombs Street house.
Equaling [if not topping] all these memories however, were those moments spent with your family, Don and Greta at spiritual and/or church and school-related events-- at St. John's, the rectory, the prayer group, Life in the Spirit Seminars, St. Paul's Retreat House-- or just, sitting around the kitchen table, when a friend was needed.
Those of us who come from big families know what I'm talking about, when I tell you how much it means to have people to whom to turn... who understand... with whom we've shared so many things in common. It's a special bond. But beyond that with Don & Greta, and the Bernatches… there has always been this soul connection-- borne of faith and heritage, and caring... and humor ! It’s those spiritual bonds, which make the most impact; and last the longest.
I love all you guys... and appreciate you and your Patriarch, so much !
I won't say he WAS a wonderful man... He IS a wonderful man !
It's only his physical vessel, which will no longer be with us...
His new ship now enables him to set sail for whatever destination he wishes...
be it here among us, or elsewhere.
The good thing is-- now, we can call upon him from anywhere,
and know that the messages will be delivered, processed and responded to
just as surely as those he delivered on his mail route !
I'm sorry that because of distance, I cannot be with you all there, in Bangor,
as I most certainly would be, if we still lived in Maine. I will miss sharing with you all the tears and laughter, and hugs...
Just know that I love you, and am thinking of you all !
