Good for the Soul

 After moving "stuff" to Mom's and different "stuff" to her neighbor's, we enjoyed a walk to the beach.  I miss being on the water.  But a walk on a warm fall day with the sound of waves and smell of salt water - good for my soul.  Only 6 more weeks and we are headed back to Quiet Time!  Hurricane season will be officially over!




Besides a trip to the dump and Goodwill, I packaged a donation for the Evan and Emma Foundation.  Lucille's wedding dress was the catalyst for also donating my wedding dress and my mom's.  The foundation turns the dresses into angel gowns, infant burial gowns.
While working as a nursing supervisor at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, one of my responsibilities was dressing the infants who died in gowns and bringing them to their parents in order to say goodbye.  Initially uncomfortable in this role, Helen, our interfaith chaplain, helped me realize it's a privilege to help parents grieve, accept and cherish.  The gowns, made by a similar foundation, were beautifully done and so very appreciated by the parents.  
 We have never had to experience that kind of pain, so donating something important to me seems like the right thing to do.  What began with a special day gets to end on a special note.  Good for the soul.


                                Lucille Calitri                                            Donna and Peter Sakkinen


                                                        Mom and myself





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