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Message from the President
June-July 2010 / Sivan-Tammuz-Av 5770
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Every Day is a Blessing.
This was our Cousin Freda’s favorite expression.
Freda passed away in January at the age of 90 and after a long battle with cancer. Jan, my mother-in-law and I were her only remaining family and while we were always close, we became especially close as her health declined and we saw her on an almost daily basis. Until Thanksgiving, Freda lived independently on the third floor of an apartment building in the East End – with no elevator. When we would go to see her, she would tell us to take our time walking up the steps. She was in such great shape that the steps never bothered her. She left a legacy of having a positive influence on everyone she met. Her neighbors on Wellesley Ave. all marveled as she walked with her shopping cart and took buses to Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Fox Chapel to do her shopping. Her friends at the JCC, where she frequently went for lunch, enjoyed her company. As her health declined, the wonderful staff at Sivitz Hospice continually admired her attitude and demeanor. She often said “What would I do without you people,” referring to anyone that was helping her in any way. We sorely miss her and her inspirational attitude. When one of her roommates at Charles Morris Center was complaining about not feeling well, Freda walked away and calmly said the roommate was actually in much better shape than she. She had not the time nor patience for self-pity.
Since her death in January, I have tried to remind myself of Freda’s mantra at least once a day. As I wrangle with the day-to-day trials and tribulations of life, when I find myself getting down or upset, I try to remind myself that every day is indeed a blessing. We miss Freda dearly and I thought I’d share her great attitude with everyone, as she is truly an inspiration to me.
Regards,
Ed Korenman, President
ekorenman5@aol.com
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