January 24, 2008

LILLY LINES

by Jack Barlick

886-4694

January 24, 2008

For us senior citizens the most ask question of us when running in to some one is “How are You?” The most frequent reply is “Fine, Thank You”. Whether a true answer or not we try to let it go at that.

An elderly friend who wishes to remain anonymous recently shared the following poem by the late Cardinal Cushing with me. It’s a lengthy answer to the above question.

I’M FINE

There’s nothing whatever the matter with me.

I’m just as healthy as can be.

I have arthritis in both my knees

And when I talk. I talk with a wheeze.

My pulse is weak and my blood is thin,

But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

I think my liver is out of whack

And a terrible pain is in my back.

My hearing is poor, my sight is dim,

Most everything seems to be out of trim,

But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

I have arch supports for both my feet,

Or I wouldn’t be able to cross the street.

Sleeplessness I have night after night,

And in the morning I’m just a sight.

My memory is falling, my head’s in a spin,

I’m peacefully living on aspirin.

But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

The moral is, as this tale we unfold,

That for you and me, who are growing old,

It’s better to say, “I’m fine” with a grin

Than to let them know the shape we’re in.

SYMPATHY

Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of John “Terry” Andraychak who recently passed away. Terry was a classmate and friend of mine from grade 1 on through high school... The nuns at the sister’s school usually did things alphabetically so Terry led the pack. It was Terry Andraychak, Jack Barlick, Tom Conley, Jim Donahue etc.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Just a friendly reminder that if you ordered a history book and your address has changed let Jim Salony know at 886-7282.Also books can be ordered still for $32 dollars before it goes to print. This is quite a bargain for a large hardback with over 500 pages and probably twice as many pictures.

BIRTHDAYS

January 24^th finds Corey Shedlock and Catherine Weakland celebrating birthdays as will Carol Wertz and Raymond Lasinski on the 25^th. Then on the 26^th Ron Coutot, Gary Nagy and Ashley Roberts celebrate.

On the 27^th Michael Crocetti, Mike McCarthy, Bailey Prebish and Jesse Wilson celebrate as will Judy George and Ruth Andraychak on the 28^th along with Andrew Jones, Ted Kunko, Mary Yanik and Deborah Rabatin. The 29^th will find Jeanine Nagle and Robert Bennett Jr. celebrating their birthdays as will Mary George on the 31^st.

Also on the 31^st Mike Kunko will be getting a little older so of you see him on a roof, up a tree or at the Legion wish him Happy Birthday.

ANNIVERSARIES

Celebrating wedding anniversaries this week are Bonnie and Stephen Mardula on the 24^th and Francis and Jean Albarano on the 28^th. Best wishes to both couples.

NOSTALGIA

The picture of the train coming through Lilly on the cover of the historical society’s calendar is one of my favorites. It conveys such an image of nearly60 years ago when the massive steam locomotives still plied the Mainline. The belching smoke seemed endless at times and as grade school students we would run across the cement bridge to beat getting into the inferno of smoke and soot as it passed underneath.

Back then all clothing was hung on outside lines to dry and those smoking trains were real demons to the hardworking mothers trying to keep their children in fresh, clean clothing for school.

Remember the piles of soot built up on the bridge so deep that you could not walk the sidewalk?

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