Remembering Good Friends

There has been a lot of letting-go of things as I prepared for my move to France, but nothing has been more difficult than leaving friends behind. What makes it a little easier is all the support and encouragement they have given me. So here are my friends who are with me on the journey.

Lisa, Nazareth History Room colleague, who dubbed me Madame Beaubien

Peggy, a faithful prayer buddy and great woman of hospitality

Mary, grad school buddy and ace politico, with her grandson

Max the Magnificent makes a do, do

Levi, acupuncturist who readied me for France

fellow CSJ Associates and prayer circle friends

Sr. Sue, great conversationalist and artist, with Emmy

Teddy Bear, Sr. Sue's other cat, who I stayed with for a wonderful week

Sr. Maureen who really knows how to inspire even in early morning prayers

Button, Sr. Maureen's cat

Bow, Sr. Maureen's other cat

me with a guiding light, St. Joseph at Nazareth

Sr. Pam, who helped me "leap" into the CSJ Associate Program

 Sr. Rita Ann, who helped me obtain my visa

Best leaders I know, Sr. Betty and Sr. Irene

Mentor and teacher, Sr Lois ushered me into the Catholic faith and the SSJs

Sister-in-law, Tracy, fellow traveler and believer in "Under the Tuscan Sun" who gave me a little push toward France

The Sisters of the lunch table at Nazareth, among the many sisters who were great sources of love and support

Best neighbors ever who put on a farewell party for me at Martell's

Dean, philosopher, businesswomen and friend with an attitude

Jack and Joan, always ready for fishing, Tiger baseball and a helping hand

Jan and Jacquo make our neighborhood great

Anita and Darby, next door neighbors and constant companions

Letting Go of "The Toaster" -- and Everything Else

Handing over the keys to "the Toaster" to my friend, Dave

Preparing to spend the next two years at the International Centre in Le Puy has been a mix of excitement, detachment and hard work over these past two months. At times I felt as though I were free floating in space and at other times I was just focused on getting things done.

The opportunity to live and work in France has been a lifelong dream and when it seemed as though I’d never finish emptying my condo, dealing with paperwork or packing light, I’d think about that dream and keep moving.

Signing over the title to the new owners

I thought I lived simply in my three-story condo, but found out I had accumulated much stuff over the years. So I divided my worldly goods into four groups: things to sell, things to give away, things to store, things to take with me to France. Since I calculated that upon my return to the USA I would live in a much smaller living space, it was easier to detach myself from my 54-inch dining room table. Electronic equipment might not survive two years of storage, so out that went. Clothes that had been hanging in my closet for years without use were obvious give-aways. However, the hardest things to unload were the countless scrapbooks of photos, published newspaper and magazine articles, travel slides and many books, so I saved them together with my bulky TV that had both DVD and video capability.

Then there was my car. While it was going to a good cause (my friends were giving the car to their 25-year-old niece who is trying to start her life again) and I was getting my hoped-for price for it, it meant a loss of freedom of movement and maybe a bit of my identity since it was a distinctive boxy car that looked like a toaster. Since my car was one of the last things I did in this whole down-sizing process, perhaps it made me face the reality that I was leaving everything familiar and about to steep myself in a new culture, a new language, a new continent and a new experience.  Once I step on that plane, however, I’ll be ready for a new adventure, a new identity and a new way of life, so I’m up for the task!

The keys on my key chain have gradually disappeared: no car, no condo, no furniture, no job, nothing but the freedom to pursue a new adventure without being burdened with lots of stuff.

Back to Dear Old Nazareth

After leaving the convent 33 years ago, I found myself return to it once again.

From May 26 until July 5, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth have invited me to stay with them at their center while I complete some work projects here in Kalamazoo and before I make my move to France to serve in the International Centre of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Le Puy-en-Velay.

It has truly been a pleasure being with the sisters whom I have known and loved since 1975 when I entered the community. It is also good to be back at Nazareth, a place that I revere as a holy place.The sisters, who are famous for their hospitality, made me feel at home and a welcome part of their community.

Then the ultimate happened. After Mass on Friday, June 30, the sisters gave me a farewell blessing on my new ministry in France. (On the left is Fred, one of the CSJ Associates, who attended the Mass and ceremony. So good to receive support from sisters and associates!)

 Sister Rita Ann (center) asked Sister Betsy (not shown) for a song for me and Betsy ended up writing a little ceremony. Sister Rose joined us for a photo after the Mass and ceremony. 

The sisters put together a display and of Le Puy, the small village in France where the sisters were founded in 1650. That's where the International Centre is and it's the place where I will spend the next 2 years. Below is a close-up shot of the display.

Under my photo it said: 

Olga Bonfiglio, Associate and part-time archive assistant at our Nazareth Center, will become the first lay staff member at our International Centre in Le Puy, France. In telling Lisa Gibbon, our Congregation Archivist, about this new role, Olga said: "It's truly an honor and a privilege to represent the CSJs in Le Puy as well as an exciting journey for me!"

~ ~ ~

More sorting

 

My room at Nazareth became a sorting station after I moved out of my condo. Because I still had too many things, I boxed up a few more items to give away to Deacon's Conference and stored other things with a friend. 

 That will leave me with only one big suitcase, a duffel bag, my purse, maybe a backpack to take with me on the plane.

I decided to send some clothes to France by mail and also learned about the joys and advantages of Zip Lock shrink wrap bags, you know, the kind that takes a vacuum cleaner to suck out the air in the bag. Just look at the difference!

BEFORE

                                       AFTER













I shipped 2 boxes to France via the U.S. Postal Service. 




  

Patty at the Nazareth Post Office helped me send my 2 boxes. And, they arrived safely in France in just one week!




  

Moving Day

MOVING DAY A -- Thursday, May 25

Thursday, March 25 was Moving Day A. Thanks to U-Haul, I rented a U-Box where I stored the things I wanted to save. A U-Box is an 8'x5'x12' box. It is then housed in the garage at U-Haul. I get double protection: the box and the garage.

I didn't think I could get all of my things in the box, but Prestige Movers did a fantastic job of making that happen. They first went through my house to see what I had and then they calculated how it would all fit in the box. Then they went right to it.

 













"It's all about geometry," they said. 

"It's also about the customer putting everything in boxes ready to go. Then we can figure out how to pack."

I had spent over a month sorting my stuff into the things I wanted to store, the things I wanted to take with me to France, the things I would leave with friends, the things I would give away, and the things I would pitch. This was a monumental job of organization, but I did it.

.

 The movers were cheerful, pleasant, efficient, quick, strong, and polite. They did the job in about an hour!

The young man above just joined the company. This young man on the right has been with the company for about 5 years and he is poised to buy it soon. He knows the job from the ground up. I have no doubt he will be successful in this new venture!

The men picked up my U-Box from U-Haul and then drove it back to the garage for storage. They avoided the streets with the most potholes so that my stuff would be secure.

When we arrived at U-Haul, I purchased a lock for my U-Box. Then the men put the box in the U-Haul garage where it will stay for the next 2-4 years while I'm away in France.

I feel more secure knowing that I have double protection of my worldly goods. Thank God for U-Haul!!

Moving Day B -- Friday, May 26

The second moving day was Friday, May 26, when the men from Deacons Conference came to pick up the stuff I would donate. Deacons Conference is sponsored by the Episcopal Church of Kalamazoo. They take furniture and other smaller items and sell it at low cost to the needy of our city. 

 Rudy was the coordinator of 2 young men who were also cheerful, efficient, strong, and polite. Most of the items they took were not boxed and they handled them carefully. They were also willing to pose for a few photos.

They finished this job in less than 30 minutes. 

I was most appreciative that they took my stuff and that someone may find a use for it someday soon.

The good news was that I cleared out most of my house in 2 days.

Meanwhile, I stored a few other things with my sister and friends, whose photos I do not have, unfortunately.  Many thanks to Denise and John Brady, Marge Morath, Andy and Mary Katherine Miller, and Sr. Sue McCrery!!

Good-Bye to Best Neighbors Ever

The neighbors on my block gathered at Martell's in Parkview Hills for dinner to say good-bye to me. I was very touched that they wanted to do this and that so many of them showed up for the gala party.

Many thanks to Bonnie, Jan, and Caren who planned the party.

I've lived in this neighborhood for the past 11 years and we have met for picnics on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and indoor parties for the New Year Day and Superbowl. We even had "Goddess Parties" where the women met for wine and cheese--and got the men wondering what we were doing. Just talking, guys.

Anita was usually behind organizing these parties and then various others would take on the challenge. Our picnics were held in the parking lot where someone would grill hot dogs and/or hamburgers and everyone else would bring salads, casseroles or desserts. It was always good to see each other beyond waving in passing cars or walking the dogs on the street. We knew each other. We looked out for each other. We visited with each other and some even traveled with each other.

Here are some reflections about and photos of some of my fantastic neighbors: 

Caren and Michael recently arranged for munching goats to take out the invasive species in the woods while other neighbors pitched in to help clear out









 

Linda

Bonnie

 

Here's Bonnie and Jan's garden that they worked on together this year and last.

Jana

Dan

Peter is always at-the-ready to help anyone who looks like they need it whether it's carrying things, loaning his dolley, taking photos, salvaging artwork and just generally looking out for us. When he was president of our condo association he and my cat, Tucker, became friends. Once, when I was out of town, Tucker visited Peter in his garage to sit and cry because he was missing me.
 

Here is some of my mosaic artwork that I asked Peter to toss. He couldn't throw it out, however, so he kept a couple and passed the rest on to other neighbors to put in their gardens. Ya got to love that guy!

 











Jack and Joan once loaned me their car when mine broke down and was in the shop. Jack helped me prepare my house and car for a six-week shutdown when I went to France in March. Jack took me fishing on Lake Michigan. Joan took some glass artwork I planned to toss and placed them in the garden at the end of the street for everyone to enjoy, especially Jonathan's aged mother. Jack made a platform for Dean's chair to help her slide out of it more easily during her recovery from a broken hip.


I got to know Dean this year while I took care of her cat, Dante, during her hip recovery. We talked philosophy, business, life and these talks were among the richest I've ever had with a friend. 

Jeanne has helped me move my special desk a couple times while Mel took me fishing with Dick on the lake in Parkview Hills. Jeanne and Mel hiked the Appalachian Trail a couple years ago and we all followed Jeanne's blog about the trip. In 2013 Jeanne blogged on Mel's cross-country bike trip.

Then there was Dan, who died a few years ago and left in his will money to paint the outside of our condos. We planted a tree in his honor in grateful thanksgiving for this wonderful gift. One Fourth of July he put on the most fabulous outdoor party, complete with a spectacular fireworks display.

Anita holds super-dog, Darby

Of course, the glue that invariably holds together the neighbors are the many animals who also live among us. There have been many walks and talks with the various dogs in the neighborhood who each have personalities, antics and provide a loving connection among us all.

Jan with Jacquo, the wonder dog who can run faster than anyone thanks to that new dog food he's been getting over the past couple years.

 And so, a toast to all of you dear neighbors, the best ever!