Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year … at least that’s what the song says.
When you’re a child, everything about Christmas is great, A jolly chubby guy climbs down your chimney and unloads toys and goodies from his sled. You get to share the holiday with Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Grandma and all your aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters. It’s fun and happy and joyous. What’s not to love
Occasionally, though, reality gets in the way and rears its ugly head.
Last week, when I realized my good pal George Oschal lost his daughter Julia Crossley, granddaughter Riley and son-in-law Johnathan Crossley in a tragic fire, my heart sank. I’ve known George for decades and I don’t know a more outstanding guy than him. It’s not that bad things only happen to good people; nobody is immune. But George suffered a big loss a few years ago when his wife, Julia’s mother, passed away from cancer.
I can’t imagine raising a child as a single parent, but George did; he carried the mantel for his late wife Patricia and he did it well.
When I saw the photo of Julia in the paper with her husband and daughter, I was racking my brain wondering how I knew her. She looked so familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on from where I knew her.
When I realized it was George’s daughter, it hit me like a ton of bricks. A few years ago, I was dining out when I ran into George. We sat with each other, exchanged a few stories when his phone rang. It was Julia; she needed to pick something up from her dad.
He told her where he was and, within 10 minutes or so, Julia showed up and George introduced me to her. After she left, we chatted about our daughters, exchanging a few more stories.
My heart is so heavy for George because he buried his wife and now has to bury his only child, a granddaughter and a son-in-law.
Condolences also go out to Graceann Tokar, of Exeter, the mother of Johnathan Crossley. This tragedy his the Wyoming area very hard.
I guess we are not supposed to question why things happen, but I can’t help but wonder. George is the best of the best. In recent years, he found love again and the sadness in his eyes from the loss of his wife was lifted. I was so happy for him.
I, along with all of his family and friends and even those who don’t even know him, will pray for him in hopes of lifting him up for the next few days, months and years to come.
Care and Concern Free Clinic
I had a conversation with my friend Gloria Blandina, director of the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic at St. John the Evangelist Church, William Street, Pittston.
We spoke about the clinic’s 11th anniversary that was celebrated Nov. 7. I had the opportunity to write the very first article on the grand opening of the clinic as well as its 10th anniversary last year and a few articles in between.
This clinic has always had the “I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know I can” attitude since the beginning and has helped so many people in need of care in the last 11 years.
The clinic has served over 4,000 individuals, covering 13,500 patient visits. People drive by the clinic and probably don’t even know it’s there.
“I did the stats one time on how much the clinic saves the hospitals and I was astounded when I started realizing our little clinic saved the community millions of dollars,” Gloria said. “It’s been a very humbling situation.”
Needless to say, the clinic needs revenue to operate and Gloria is always grateful when donations come in. Donations are the lifeblood of the organization.
Jacki Rinish organized the Last Stop Santa Shop at the Msgr. Bendick Center (the old cafeteria) at St. John’s school on Dec. 15. Fifty vendors participated and all proceeds are going to the Care and Concern Ministries.
The clinic is open the first three Wednesday evenings of each month with registration beginning at 5:30 p.m., so if you’re reading this, need medical attention and don’t have the means for care, stop by. Everyone working at the clinic is a medical volunteer with the exception of lay people doing administration work and, even then, some have medical backgrounds.
It was estimated, if the clinic had to pay all the medical volunteers a salary, it would be well over $4 million in the last 11 years.
People are getting excellent care and that suits Gloria just fine. For her, it’s all about serving those in need, making sure they are treated fairly with respect and dignity.
If you or your organization would like to donate time or money to the clinic, call 570-655-6550 to find out how.
Quote of the week
“Our government teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.” Louis Bradeis, American Supreme Court (1856-1941)
Thought of the week
“Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.” – St. Augustine, Roman Christian theologian
Bumper sticker
“Love forbids you not to love.” – Umberto Giordano, Italian composer
