I remember as a young man at the age of 19 I used to help Cissi dumpster dive at various flower shops around town. She had this uncanny ability to find the mother load it only ever took a couple of stops. I would then take her back home and she would clean and spruce up all the neglected flowers so that she could share them with everybody. She used to say “What a waste! these are perfectly good flowers and they are just going to throw them away!” “Well its their loss.”  Her resourcefulness never ceased to amaze me. When I worked at a grocery store my day would be brightened immensely by a visit from good Ole Aunt Cis. She would say, “Hey there Tono!” “How you do’n babe?” I would reply with something endearing and and ask if she needed anything. When I worked in produce it was fruits and veggies. The bakery bake goodies. Grocery I went every department and hit them up. She would never refuse the chance to give and share what she had. I would go in the back and scrounge up what ever we were not going to put out because it was marred or slightly past the date load up a box and pass it on. Cissi, God bless her would take all that food and give it to the homeless or someone who needed it more than her. Her brilliance and radiance transcended the dark and negative that permeates the city. She was and still is an angel of light.

I have some more stories to share of Aunt Cis but tonight I was writing in my journal and I ran across this entry I made the evening of the 11th when Zeb and I went to a matsuri. Cissi was quite ill and my mom had been telling me any day now. A Matsuri in Japan is a festival wherer you say good by to your ancestors souls and release them back to the spirt world. When we got back home I remember that I felt like I needed to talk to Aunt Cis so I thought I would tell her what I prayed for in a letter. I hope you enjoy I know she was quite special to us all. 

"Aunt Cis,The way you have touched my life has left a lasting impression. Because of you I always look to take the back roads. I strive to give more than I receive. Your wisdom and guidance has kept me safe as a youth. You personally saved my life because of your strong conviction. I will always carry with me the blessing that it is to know you. Your life and code will live eternal in my stories of you that I will pass on to my children. Today I have prayed for you at the shrine during this time of O'Bon. I prayed for you to return home safely and that your journey will be pleasant and fulfilling. I know that this will be granted for you. A lady whom was your age gave me the offering to make when I had none to offer. Her act of generosity was the epitome of how you lived your life. I will rest easy knowing that you will finally be at peace and one day I will see you again. Only when the two ends meet is the circle complete. I Love You Aunt Cis"     

Cissi and I were at John's and Frances' home after the wedding and there was a pair of handcuffs lying around.  Cissi thought it a lark to put them on...but, John didn't know where the key was and it got to be really funny...not to Cissi, tho!  She was a little put out that she had handcuffed herself to a chair and stay there until finally a key was found and she was set free.  She was such an adventurer and nothing was too ridiculous to do to make everyone laugh...even at her own expense!  She was certainly one of a kind who always 'did it her way.'

 Cissi and I had the kind of fun at our friend Arthur's memorial that I know she would want us to have at her party.  When we got back to Western Trails she tripped and fell flat on her butt, threw her arms up in the air and yelled at Arthur, "see what you made me do!"  She wasn't hurt at all.  She was happy and grinning from ear to ear, like a bright light.  I'll never forget the laugh, as if they had made a connection! 

 This was one of several times I went to get Cissi to bring her to my husband's gig at Gueros.  She was a big Tex Thomas and His Dangling Wranglers fan.

Annual Ole Girls Luncheon at Luby's

on our way to Threadgills for Christmas dinner.

One day Guillermina and I asked Cissy if she would like  me to cook her dinner on her Birthday at our house, she excepted and we made her some Clam Chowder and some cod, I had some red and white wine Cissy asked if there was any Irish wiskey?  Me being a faithful Irishman had just the thing. we had a few drinks and we put some Irish music on, all of a sudden she started crying I thought that i was in trouble for we had only know her for a short time, I asked her if everything was ok, she said the the tears were of joy, what else could a girl need, Friends, Clam Chowder, cod, Irish music and a good Irish wiskey.  At that point I knew that Cissy was a special person, we miss her and we know that she is with our family and friends in a better place than we know.  we miss you!!!  Look over us and keep us same until the Lord calls us to be with you. Guillermina and Sean Durkin.

you saw me.

I received the beautiful flowers you gave to me, showing me the beauty of humanity, and knew I wasnt alone in this new town, I will always remember you with love and a smile.

it was a blessing to have met you 

Thank you Cissi