Pink Ribbon Cure
Dedicated to my dear friend Susan Bennett,
A Breast Cancer Survivor

By: Patty Fitzpatrick ,
a volunteer at the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund

Pink ribbons reached our inner circle
one gloomy day in two thousand five.
Pink ribbons now a part of our lives
only time will tell if our dear friend survives.

Remember the days when they were
just another ribbon without much meaning.
Not that we didn’t care much
we were immune and we were gleaming.

We knew the connotation of the
pretty pink ribbon and it left us shaken.
It meant our bodies could be changed
it meant our lives could be forsaken.

So instead we chose to ignore it
maybe it would go away.
It was someone else’s quandary
and for it we refused to sway.

Swayed not until it reached our inner circle
then we swayed like a lions roar.
To do away with every pink ribbon
we must somehow find a cure.

I volunteer my time now
time once thought was spent so wisely.
Only too sad to find out,
it’s only now I have begun to spend it wisely.

I found a group who raises funds
to help find the pink ribbon cure.
This fund is named after a special sweet lady
God blessed her with famous sons for sure.

It is absolutely amazing
to see the funds their names can raise.
I say this after witnessing a celebrity auction
and for this I give them so much praise.

For when the pink ribbons are finally all gone,
these sons will know for sure.
They did all they could to help find
the famous Pink Ribbon Cure.

Content copyright © 2005 by Patty Fitzpatrick

Author's Comments:
"My tight knit group is from East Islip's Class of '78. I became involved by volunteering for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund only after the pink ribbon attacked our inner circle. I now ask myself what took so long. For several years now I have been a volunteer raising research funds for HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), yet always thought Breast Cancer Research Funds were so vast they didn't need me. Wrong, they did need me. They need all of us. If my poem results in one more person volunteering their time for Pink Ribbon Research, my job is done. I have come to hate the words Breast Cancer and have instead replaced them with the words Pink Ribbon. Please invest your precious time by becoming a Pink Ribbon Volunteer. Thanks."

____________

In memory of Rhonda Altiere

There are so many wonderful statements I can say about my mother, but then we would be here all day- so I decided to break it down to just a few things.

My mom was strong! Despite battling arthritis and countless surgeries, she went back to school and earned her Associates, her Bachelors and her Masters in Social Work, where she not only had to complete coursework, but also had to intern in several hospital settings. Having to walk through campus and internship still never slowed her down.   I remember when she received her Masters and she had to cross this long stage in an auditorium. She was so nervous because she didn’t want to slow everyone down! I, of course, said slow them down, you deserve it. But it wasn’t her way to be in the spotlight.    So when her name was called, somehow she managed to shake hands, grab her diploma, hold her cane, and walk faster than any other graduate that day.

My mom had a true spirit of love and warmth within her. She has comforted us all at some time or another. It was as if she always knew the exact words to say. She had this gift of poetry of language where all she had to say was on phrase and everything made sense and everything would be OK. Whether it be a statement on politics or value, she could summarize her views into a statement that would just hush the rest of us up.

But she used this gift of language to help others. I remember visiting her at Avalon Gardens. She worked in the unit of resident with Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. There was this one resident who was waiting by the desk for someone. She kept saying, “When are they coming?” And my mom would answer- “Shortly just have a seat and they will be right here”. Well this woman kept repeating her question every 30 seconds over and over. Any my mom would always say “Shortly just have a seat and they will be right here”. I asked my mom, “Why bother telling her? She is only going to forget that she asked and then ask again.” My mom without pause replied, “Because it matters to her now.”

My mom always had a positive outlook on life and saw the blessings even in sorrow. Even when diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she said she was just so blessed. So blessed to have 2 children who they themselves found love and a husband who would always be there with his love. She was so blessed with the most beautiful home and family and friends who would fill it with their love.

One might say that with so much illness, she had such a hard life. But she didn’t have a hard life because she didn’t make those things that were hard- her life. She made things like entertaining family and friends- her life. Helping others- her life. Loving all of us here- her life. Enjoying the beauty of Jamesport- her life.   And feeling the love of family and friends- those precious things were her life.

So as we continue to live our lives maybe we can use the gift of Free Will, which God gave us and my mom’s example and be a little more patient, take time to comfort others, and see the true blessings around us.

_____________________________________

A poem in memory of Karen McConnell by Jenn Frigon

The Kind Of Angel Heaven Got
You were more than an aunt to me
A godmother and a friend
You were the one Id run to
When I thought my world would end
You had answers to every problem
And handed out reasons to smile
God better consider himself lucky
That we’re sharing you for awhile
You kept up with me and mom shopping
And had coupons for every store
When you came home from work each day
We waited for you by the door
I’ll never forget our guy talks
Or how you laughed and rolled your eyes
You encouraged me through everything
And had a tissue for tears to dry
snoop sisters generation 2 you were
With gossip left and right
The O’Donnell girls number 1
The 5 of you knit so tight
I asked a priest for forgiveness
When I was eight years old
Because we used to fight so bad
Or so I have been told
Its because I loved you so darn much
And we knew each other inside out
You knew when I needed a hug
Or when to let me let it all out
I’ll always remember the phone at 8am
Or “hey are you eating”  calls
And how you were early to everything
I’m going to miss them all
You gave us so much to look up to
Like how u had a heart of gold
You were kind to everyone you met
Reflected in the friendships you did hold
You were just like your mother
Both on top of things and so sweet
You completed each other so well
And had the same funny feet
Uncle Bob and you granted me a wish
And I’m so glad it came true
You always said Cailin was my god sister
She’s my happiest memory of you
You told me she looks up to me
And asked me to always be there
The truth is I look up to her more
And our lifetimes we will share
The kind of angel heaven got
Was bullheaded and strong
you fought with everything you had
And by no one you did wrong
They got an angel full of heart
With dignity and grace
Heaven got our angel
And no one could take your place
You’ll live on in our memories
In our laughs and your daughters smile
And in every life you’ve touched
The list goes on for miles
We’re happy to have had you
And thankful your free of pain
We’ll be remember you’re bowling with grandpa
When it thunders and it rains
I love you Aunt Karen with my whole heart
And promise you pink roses I’ll bring
Because you always were my angel
Only now you have your wings

Posted 12-10-04

Contributions for breast cancer research have
been made in the following names:

Doreen Engle

Isadore Potaznick

Sadie & Julius Harris

Arlene Harkins

Alex Baldwin, Sr.

Ruth Isserles

Emily Fitzgibbon

Ann Muriel DeCollibus

Libby Marzella Kelsey

Mollie Perinelli

Anne Herd

Bonnie Reissner

Lucy Rizzo

Diane Rizzo

Loraine J. Losito

Sally Schuerlein

Domenico Parente

Kathleen Leykum

Victoria Farco

Dianna Heimer