William Penn Life, 2019 (54. évfolyam, 2-5. szám)
2019-04-01 / 4. szám
Focus on Fraternalism with Barbara A. House Noteworthy and duly noted A few random observations: • Let me tell you about the wonderful White Rose Ball. Linda Enyedy makes real dancers out of the debs and their escorts. Ursula and Tom Markovits host a wonderful pre-ball event for all the sponsors. The planning is always the best and it shows from beginning to end. The food, music and friendship are second to none. Remember, this is always held on the first Saturday of February. Mark your calendars for 2020. Thank you also to the Szatmári family and the Rhapsody Restaurant for welcoming us all with such a wonderful dinner. You always aim to please. • The February issue of William Penn Life was one of my favorites. Tibor Check wrote a wonderful article on Franz Liszt. He is my favorite composer. Good job, Tibor. • I was so pleased to see all your branch Christmas parties and wonderful donations. You are all showing fraternalism at its finest. Please keep up the good work. Many of you have truly become more active. Thank you. • Planning for our Hungarian Heritage Experience is off and running. We have many reservations for this year already. Please plan on joining us. We don't work all the time; we have a lot of fun, too! Besides learning the Hungarian language, we dance, cook, do crafts and even party a bit. • New Brunswick's annual Hungarian Festival is the first Saturday of June. I know it is quite some distance for some of you, but it is truly one of the best festivals ever. Come and join us. • The Birmingham Ethnic Festival in Toledo, Ohio, is also a "must do." I have attended this festival most of my life and would never want to miss one. The folks at St. Stephen's Church help make this a worthwhile trip, for sure. • A special thank you to National Director Joyce Nicholson. Your kind words meant a lot and were needed. Your timing, as always, is spot on. • Thank you also to Vice Chair of the Board Kathy Novak. We had a nice afternoon. • Thank you, Kathy Megyeri, for all the wonderful surprises. You truly have a heart as big as the world. Yes, they were needed. My best wishes to all our members and friends for a joyous and Happy Easter! □ I Aging Well with Cathy Graham Being your best at the worst of times Words can be hard to find when a close friend or family member experiences a critical health crisis. Not only is the news devastating for your loved one, but we can't also help thinking about our own mortality in the process. We fumble and fall with the outcomes of a stroke, life ending disease diagnosis or a bone-breaking fall. With emotions of love, sadness, hopelessness and faith all in one breath, how do we find the composure and compassion to evoke something meaningful? Experts agree that honesty is the softest blanket. Being real about the situation allows us to be unapologetically sincere. Recognize that you have no way of understanding what the person with the illness thinks or feels, then be specific when proceeding. Ask if you can bring a meal or go to the pharmacy or walk the dog. Anticipating a need can be more powerful than, "let me know if you need anything." Communicate with the person on the same level you always have. I have a wild sense of humor. After my double mastectomy surgery for breast cancer, a dear friend made me a double boob cake. I laughed so hard and appreciated her wit and love immensely. In the scope of the entire cancer ordeal, that cake was the silver lining. It's never easy and seems crazily unfair when life is abruptly shifted or ended. By choosing to respect the situation and waiting for an opening before rushing in, we can allow the news to sink in and let love take over. Treasure every second, every word and every gesture. Be humble and serving, and let the best of human kind be strong during the worst of times. Cathy Graham is director of the Graceful Aging Wellness Center at Bethlen Communities in Ligonier, Pa. WILLIAM PENN LIFE ° April 2019 0 3
