Hugs and Rugs

The most striking memorable moment of being in the moment was the group that gathered. There are core groups that meet, live and enjoy the life of a small town. This was a gathering composed of all of those to celebrate a woman's life. It was amazing how she had touched every single core group and every person there, she had somehow touched their lives. We should all hope to achieve that kind of memorial service. Whether it was her kindness, her art or her friendship. She mattered and it showed.
The brick room was full of people saddened at her loss but happy to celebrate her life.

Molly Palmer of the bewitching blue eyes died on Monday March 4th. There was Jameson on hand, wine and two kegs of beer. People gathered in the renovated NWI building to celebrate her life. Two long rows of food and a separate section of dessert. Molly would have blushed and said "This all is for me?"

I looked around the room at her woven rugs hanging from the walls and railings and then at the group of people and thought, I want to achieve this. I want to live a life well and be remembered with such love.

I worked with Molly for three years at the Post Office, and would cover for her while she was on vacation. When I left the Post Office it was to take the job at the City of Roslyn. There I worked with her husband Joe for three years. It was during this time that they sold my house to me. They had many low ball offers, but Joe accepted mine and I purchased the last good deal in Roslyn. I planned to renovate the house as it was, and Joe and Molly liked that and sold it to me.

She made beautiful rugs and one summer just before they went on vacation I visited their house so that I could take care of their garden while they were gone. I got a tour of the looms, the garden, the house. Her garden was fabulous and the looms even more so. I have one of her rugs, it is beautiful and has traveled with me. The last time I saw Molly was at the grand opening of "Made in Roslyn." We hugged and I introduced her and Joe to Nick. She had submitted rugs and I a watercolor of 5th Street.

At the service Jen spoke of Molly and her three hug rule. Hug those around you and the people you are sharing your life with. As I sat with a group of people I have known and loved in Roslyn, throughout the afternoon I sat in the same place but people would come and set and the characters of Roslyn would change at my table. I hugged many of them, because I have shared my life with them and as we left for the day we were asked to take pots of flowers to plant and remember her by.

I selected the primroses that had sat at my table and will plant them in Molly's other yard that is now mine. I made plans to help Joe in his garden in the spring, Lani who had guided us at the Post Office had made a suggestion when I asked what should I do for him? He will be heart broken without her. What should I do? She in her infinite wisdom said, in my experience it is best to set a date two months from now to stop in and visit him. So I offered to come over and help in the garden, he said that would be wonderful, but you don't have to wait for that day to visit. He is right.

It was beautiful and she would have gushed and blushed. "This all for me? Oh you guys." The place was packed and her rugs and art were everywhere. Two sections of food and another whole one of just desserts, then the bar in another separate area, well stocked with Jameson and wine, Ball jars filled with Roslyn water and two kegs of beer.

I sat with the Beardsleys, Maria and Dino and the thought that kept coming to mind was "I want to achieve this."

We ate and talked and caught up and I saw so many people and different generations. It was just a beautiful memorial. Joe's five sisters were there and Molly's oldest brother surrounded by all the lives she had touched. After everyone ate, her closest friends spoke and the stories were amazing followed by a slide show with her favorite songs. Then the community could speak and share. Oh and this was preceded by a toast of Jameson by all in little dixie cups. After this the local musicians gathered and played. People came and went. All the generations and core groups that form or have formed Roslyn were there. Just beautiful and she would have been tickled pink but embarrassed just the same.

One of the most entertaining moments... Jan Skiba came and sat at our table and mentioned asking Stan if he thought her new haircut made her look like a lesbian. (It was my first thought when i saw her.) Then she talked about Joe, being single now and what a great catch he was with all that gorgeous red hair.