[Fredslist] Special Request: Happy 90th Birthday Wishes-Cards-emails for my Mom, Josefina Diaz as a Surprise Gift

[Amparo Connors]

[IMG_4691.jpg]

Hello dear fellow Gotham members: At the terrific Gotham Encores meeting yesterday, we had a fabulous presentation & discussion about aging well and it diverged a bit to caring for our aging parents. I spoke of my Mom Josefina Diaz, pictured with me Thanksgiving 2023, who will turn 90 on March 25th. On the call we recalled how David Abeshouse (DJA) had requested a gift of birthday cards, or emails, of good wishes for his Mother Evy when she turned 80. I told DJA I'd borrow his idea (that he said was borrowed) and request good wishes to lift the spirits of Josefina on her birthday!

Josefina is a woman very dedicated to family as a young woman she was forced to leave school to help her parents financially by working at an office. After marrying she supported her husband's dream of a better life for their four daughters by moving to a new world although it meant leaving all her family and not speaking the language. Mami's gift has always been taking care of others; she cared for young cousins (from Dad's side), many working neighbors' children, and later was certified as a home-child care giver by JCC whom she worked for, for many years caring for the children in our KGH apartment. To this day children Mami cared for stop by to say hello when in the neighborhood; Mami's tender care helped many a child, particularly those who had difficult home situations. Later in life Mami was the primary caregiver for my father as he fought dementia, and then for my sister Esperanza who died from Muscular Dystrophy. A woman of great faith, a devout Catholic, Mami still likes to send religious cards to people when they celebrate any occasion. She will be happily surprised by cards from warm, giving people who also value family.

Mami lost her husband Hernando of almost 61 years in 2016, and two daughters (one 2021, and one 2022); these losses weigh heavily on her since she now lives alone. As a woman who grew up with eleven sisters, yes NO brothers, Mami has never been accustomed to being alone. Although I visit Mami quite often, and my sister Olga also helps with her care, I have seen Mami's spirit waning as the large #90 weighs upon her. I'm encouraging her to focus on the positives, what she CAN do and not what she can't, and relish life with her two daughters, ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. With her sisters and most nieces/nephews living so far away (in our native Colombia), although she'll receive phone calls and visits, the celebration of Mami's 90th Birthday will be filled with special cheer from the good wishes extended by my "friends and family". If you would like to mail a card, please mail it to my home address. I will print out email wishes as David did and put them in a folder with the cards. I greatly appreciate good wishes and prayers for Mami's good health.

I apologize for my rambling; I'll never be as eloquent as DJA. In advance I thank you for the time you take to fulfill this special gift. Thank you, thank you!

Please mail cards to: Josefina Diaz, c/o Amparo Connors, 82-32 246 Street, Bellerose NY 11426

Amparo M .Connors, President
Allied Personnel Services, Inc., Green Staff NY
NY City & State Certified M/WBE
718.261.7979  ~  212.451.0235
amparo at alliedpersonnel.com<mailto:amparo at alliedpersonnel.com>
www.alliedpersonnel.com<http://www.alliedpersonnel.com>

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