Losing Family

Over the past couple of days, my thoughts have been consumed with my Saints relationships even more than normal ... that's what happens when you lose a member of the family.

Thinking back, I remember now that Patty McDonough gets the credit for starting the trend to refer to some of the adults who supported us as Aunt and Uncle. While Betty Maloney Goerke was a mother to Beth and Lisa, we were used to hearing "Mom" and "Ma" at rehearsals and whatnot -- after all, there were many Moms who were there on a regular basis.

When Patty would call to Aunt Betty (certainly her right since her mother was Betty's sister), we took notice somehow. Little by little, many of us started calling her Aunt Betty as well ... then it was Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Tony, and Uncle Walter, and Uncle Ralph, and many others. It was an acknowledgement of respect, of family.

Aunt Betty, I was proud to be one of your nieces. Lisa, Beth, Jimmy, Larry, and Patty, thanks for extending your family to include us.

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!