Happy 52nd Birthday Colleen...
JUST BECAUSE
Just because we laugh and smile
Does not mean we forget for a while
Just because we hide the pain
Still it is and always will remain
Just because she is somewhere in the air
We hope she is listening to our prayer
Fifty years of always caring
Fifty years of always sharing
Fifty years- a gift from above
Fifty years of unselfish love
Recall the joy she always found
In simple living-enjoying sight and sound
She would frown and shake her head
If we constantly were filled with dread
Embrace each moment though changed by fate
Bittersweet, yet celebrate
Life goes on, memories -close like a finger
Warming the heart as they linger
Her life still glows in God’s communion
Our hope is in that joyful reunion
Just because we laugh and smile
Loving her still, all the while
— Love, Dad
* * * * * *
A 2019 birthday note from Dan...
As many of you know, Colleen's birthday is on the 28th of November. The 28th falls on Thanksgiving day this year and it also fell on Thanksgiving day in 1968--the year that "our precious little girl" was born. I use the phrase "our precious little girl" because it's the term that Dianne and T often use to refer to Colleen. I think about that a lot, it's so fitting and means so much to me.
Colleen's October 12th services in Buffalo were beautiful. Shortly thereafter, the majority of her ashes were interred in a McMahon/Prorok family plot in Nativity Cemetery in Orchard Park, NY. If you are ever in the Buffalo area, please visit our precious little girl.
The Monday after, I got a call from the Broward County Medical Examiner. With utmost professionalism, he informed me that Colleen's official cause of death was ruled as "Undetermined". Her body had no lethal injuries and, more importantly, toxicology showed no alcohol or unprescribed medications. Finding no alcohol in her blood is such a victory for Colleen, a victory she will have forever. She finished her life on this earth with 14 months of sobriety.
I'll leave you with a birthday gift from Colleen (we all know she loved giving gifts). It's a poem by Mary Oliver and was one of Colleen's favorites. It so eloquently distills the essence of our precious little girl.
PERCY, WAITING FOR RICKY
Your friend is coming, I say
to Percy and name a name
and he runs to the door, his
wide mouth in its laugh-shape,
and waves, since he has one, his tail.
Emerson, I am trying to live,
as you said we must, the examined life.
But there are days I wish
there was less in my head to examine,
not to speak of the busy heart. How
would it be to be Percy, I wonder, not
thinking, not weighing anything, just running forward.
* * * * * *
Colleen loved and was loved. She was exuberant in life and persevered through many challenges. She loved her parents Dianne and Terry, and brothers and sister, Kevin, Tim and Erin. She was a wonderful mother to Jack and Emma. She and Dan married in 1990 and loved each other and grew so much together. Her caring attitude extended beyond people to animals. She raised her Rhodesian Ridgebacks from puppies and--today--when we say the word "Mommy?" to them, they cock their heads, whine and look to the front door. There wasn't a stray dog on the highway she didn't want to take home and one instance she did (Sugar).
Colleen had so many friends who helped her through the most-difficult times of her life. She was constantly grateful for that. Emma, Jack and Dan are also so thankful for the kindness and support.
When you walked in the room, you knew she was there. Her personality was magnetic and infectious. A smile and hug from her lasted the entire day.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider a donation to Wayside House, 378 NE 6th Ave, Delray Beach FL 33483,
www.waysidehouse.net. They are a small, local organization providing quality services to women in need. We've donated many of Colleen's clothes and other personal belongings to them as well.
