Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) 2012 – The Dinner Table

Joel’s Grandma Ada died when he was only nine years old, so his memories of her are a little blurry, but fortunately his siblings are great storytellers. According to them: Ada drank Sanka, ate…

My Great Aunt Myrtle was chosen as my caregiver when I was three and four years old and my mom went back to school to be a teacher. Lucky me!! Despite being so young,…

(1900-1962) My grandmother arrived in Kansas City, Kansas via Ellis Island in 1919 at the eager age of 19 and at a whopping 4 feet, 9 inches tall. She was alone, having been encouraged…

(1933-1993)                             (1915-2000) Aunt Glee and Uncle Al were Joel’s quintessential ‘cool’ aunt and uncle. Having no children of their own,…

(1906-1996)             (1902-1996) Grandma Louise was one of those women you’re grateful to have as part of your family tree – strong, wise, fun-loving, and quietly dignified. With breakfast…

Joel’s ‘little’ brother towered over him as evidenced by the family picture in the center of his plate. That loving goodbye, a family group hug, was the last time we were all together, wishing…

The centerpiece for this lively table features my father’s favorite bowling ball. If you look closely, you can see his engraved initials, C.P.O. – Clarence Patrick O’Connor. It is surrounded at its base by…

My dad. A man content with golfing with his buddies at the Fox Valley Golf Club on Thursdays, bowling for Simon’s Cheese Co. as “Shorty” on Wednesday nights, and howling with the other retired…

My family has a favorite memory of my father. Each day during meals, whether we were eating filet mignon or week-old tuna casserole, whether it was he and I enjoying a quiet lunch or…