William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2010-11-01 / 11. szám

Tibor s Take My any am has insisted we try to remain as normal as pos­sible. She reminds us everyday to "love and support each other, and don't bring home any germs!" The Hungarian community of Youngstown has been behind my mom and her recovery with cards, flowers and phone calls. Sonny and his sister Sissy Tollas call every other day to offer encouragement. Irene Nemeth, Elizabeth Cibulas, Kathy Novak and Elizabeth Voss (to name only a few) have sent get well cards. (At last count, my mom had received more than 125 cards.) During our "Souvenirs of Hungary" radio program, we have been inundated with calls of support and encouragement. The enigma during this emotional roller coaster has been my apa. Up until now, my dad has been almost stoic with his emotions. I took his quietness to be the result of his long career as an urban educator. But, late one night, we were both in our living room. As I began to fall asleep on the couch, I noticed my dad was still awake reading the book, "The Essential Guide to Being Hungarian." Although I was half asleep, I could hear him making a series of quiet snorting and choking sounds. To my surprise and disbelief, I realized he was crying. Even when my édes nagyanyám, nagyapa and Nagy­néni Jenny passed, my Dad did not cry. I dared not appear to be awake. I did not want to embarrass him or myself. As I laid there motionless, I listened. As he wiped his eyes and blew his nose, I heard him mutter: "Dear God, make Erzsi better, keep us together." A few more minutes went by and he got up and went upstairs to sleep. I never men­tioned to him or anyone else what I had witnessed on that dark, cold and rainy night. Once I knew he was upstairs, I sat up and picked up Did you know they're Hungarian? Super Bowl MVP Joe Theismann was born Sept. 9, 1949, in New Brunswick, N.J. His father was of Austrian extraction and his mother, Olga Tobias, was Hungarian. After starring at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., the multi-talented athlete was drafted in 1971 by the NFL’s Mi­ami Dolphins and Major League Baseball’s Minnesota Twins. After failing to negotiate a suitable contract, he decided to play football in the Canadian Football League. Three years later in 1974, the Washington Redskins purchased his draft selection from the Dolphins, and the rest is history. Joe’s ability to scramble and throw accurate passes earned him a Super Bowl ring and MVP in 1983. Regrettably, his football career came to an abrupt end on Nov. 18, 1985, during a Monday Night Football game. Theismann fell victim to an odd-angled tackle by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor that shattered both the tibia and fibia of his right leg. Upon his retirement from football, Theismann—always known for his keen wit and million dollar smile—became a play-by-play analyst on (somewhat ironically) ABC’s Monday Night Football and hosted several television shows. □ the book. My dad used an old funeral prayer as a book­mark. On the card's front was a picture of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and on the flip side was a short prayer along with the birth and passing dates of my cousin, Dorothy Vaskó Krusley. The story my Dad had just read was en­titled, "Folk Customs." After I read the story, I wondered what in the brief script led my father to weep. My family members often times learn and benefit from a crisis, misfortune or untimely passing. With the depar­ture of my Grandma Marshall, did I see a reemergence of a closeness between my mom and Aunt Donna. As with my Aunt Jenny's passing, did I see my sister find a huge interest in cooking Magyar style when given my aunt's collection of Hungarian cookbooks. My brother Endre developed his passion for learning to play the cimbalom after my nagypapa’s death. Up until Aug. 28, 2010,1 had no favorite color. Depend­ing on the event or circumstance, it was either red, white, green or sometimes blue. I now wear a pink wristband; I now have a pink sweatshirt. When I dress up for Model UN debates, I wear a black suit accented by a pink tie and pink ribbon tie clasp. I wear the smile of hope, love, strength and recovery, and I almost always wear some­thing pink in love and support of my édes anyám. ********** NOTE: I purchased the book mentioned in my article from Magyar Marketing during the recent WPA Picnic-A Great Fraternal Fest. This 188-page book contains a series of short, true stories about Hungarians of the past and present. Some stories explain how Hungary got to where it is and the impact Hungarians have made on mankind. Each story is three or four pages long. It's perfect for a late night read or when only a few minutes are available to relax and think. ********** Remember our Veterans on November 11th and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! / Éljen America/Hungary, Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at Cleveland State University. He serves as host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WKTL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. Let's hear your take Let me know how you enjoy my thoughts and views on growing up Hungarian Style. If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at: SilverKingl937@yahoo.com, or drop me a letter in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. William Penn Life 0 November 2010 0 9

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