When Georgia meets New Jersey!

I love it when I go down to Georgia. I love my family there. I love my friends there. I love the students there. I love the feel there. I went there last summer for a week. I went again for Thanksgiving. I went for their tournament in March. I went back the next month to help at a tournament and spend time. Then I went again in the summer. I'm going back for Thanksgiving this year too! So you can imagine my excitement to have Georgia come to New Jersey.

My friend Stacey came to visit me in my homeland in the magical place called New Jersey. The main reason was because I was holding workshops that she wanted to learn from and bring back to her school in Georgia. But she got plenty of time to have a glimpse of my world here in New Jersey.

Quite honestly, my world is pretty magical. It's like playing around in the wizarding world of Harry Potter with a cross of impossible possibilities only Mary Poppins could conjure up. I don't exaggerate. I like my world. Many from afar get a glimpse maybe, the ones on the inside get the best seats and the greatest benefits. And some right in our own backyard could only wish to be on the inside. It's only getting better. But Stacey really go to experience a real time jam packed Trento schedule!

Stacey at TMAFC with my students Theodoris and William.

Early Saturday morning before going to Mike Lee seminar in PA.

When Stacey got here we stopped at Aunt Karen's bakery in Park Ridge. She got to meet the infamous aunt and the bakery that has such a story in it's origins which you can read here. And who happened to be there also to visit but Grandma Cyn herself! She even got to see the Bea Arthur-Estelle Ghetty exchanges with them! From there Stacey got to see TMAFC in it's new location in Saddle Brook. She helped out with my classes and met a good deal of my students. She also got to take a kickboxing class of mine which she been wanting to do and see a little bit of how I do my fitness program. That night I had a family party in which I took her to and she met pretty much my entire mother's side of the family.

The next day is when I brought my students to the Mike Lee seminar in Pennsylvania! Stacey can't say she didn't get experience after experience! She learned a lot from that seminar, as we all did, but it was very cool to have her with us for my first time with students and to meet the badass in person. That night a small group of my usual Jersey crew got together and she was able to meet people she has only heard about for over a year.

Stacey and Miss Joss

Stacey in New Jersey at our place of Oak and Ale! 

Stacey Stone with my NJ crew!

The next day was a full day of workshops. I began with my Essential Oils workshop which we had about a dozen people attend and I taught about the oils, uses, stories upon stories, and brought a lot of different experiences to the workshop having a background in other healing modules. After two hours of working with the oils and teaching, I had to set up and prepare right away for the Qigong workshop which we had about almost the same or so amount of people for. I had begun with Wuji and discussed the principles which I always start with and then went into a set. Stacey did one of my favorite sets when I was down in Georgia so this was a newer set that collaborated with the principles of the oils that she could learn and bring back as well.

On Stacey's last night was really the first night we didn't have to rush for a schedule due to my teaching or work. We got together to JUST BE. A group of my adult students whom she met whether it be from Taekwondo, Haganah, kickboxing, or dear friends and some family got together for a little bon fire and food and she got to spend some actual time with my Jersey crew.

It's hard for me to clash my worlds sometimes, especially after that horrible no good very bad year. But this was okay. This was very good. I was very happy. I am happy Stacey got to see my world, or a little bit of it. I am glad my people got to meet her. I do wish Bobby could have come too, maybe next time. But it really was a great weekend and I do hope Stacey enjoyed her stay. We all enjoyed her company! (BOWS)

Before my Oils Workshop

Qigong at TMAFC

Stacey's last day and a little bon fire!

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Team Building with Mirrors!

Soooooooo here's the story. I had these three large mirrors that I had in my old location stored in Aunt's garage. These mirrors have been like the bain of my existence. I told Aunt Karen they would only be there for a few months. Well a few months became almost a year. Too long for my liking and I didn't like leaving them there. She never said boo about them, but I am sure she wants her garage back and I didn't want to be inconsiderate to her space. My new location has slowly but surely grown and upgraded. I fixed up the lights, the new office and healing room almost done, new mats on the way, so now it's time for the mirrors to go up on the wall!

Well I finally had someone who said they can transport them the entire mile away, until when we finally got the truck there and they were going to move the mirrors, the mirrors we stuck together from leftover adhesive. The workers didn't want to break them, understandably, but they didn't want to tamper trying to separate them.

Well ALL DAY I was calling around to different people and places to figure out if my mirrors were now useless or if there was a way to salvage them. The person who was going to move them believed to think so and told me just to buy new ones. But you know me, I'm not going to let a problem defeat me, I WILL find a solution! What frustrates me is when I don't know what it is I am looking for and/or what direction I need to go to find a solution. I ended up being able to get some kind of commercial solvent that supposedly would be able to separate the mirrors without damaging them. Don't ask me how to use it! I couldn't tell you if I knew!

Well after classes one of my kickboxers, Carolyn, my two students Heather and Thomas, Ashley from the gym, myself and Aunt Karen went to the garage to analyze the situation. Sweat, blood, and tears man. Sweat, blood, and tears. The Renaissance Woman, Aunt Karen was in perfect form! Every little tool and item that no one else would have but her that served a tremendous purpose was used! Who held the flashlight, who held the different ends, who peaked on either side, who directed where to go, who poured the solvent where it needed to go, who wrapped what needed to be wrapped, everyone stepped up!

The solvent you ask? WORKED LIKE MAGIC! As soon as it touched the glue within FIVE seconds detached! Unbelievable! We accomplished what these workers did not want to do and with success! We wrapped them tight and now they are ready to be moved! It took an ENTIRE day but we figured it out.

I couldn't have been more appreciative for the support from that little army we had in Aunt Karen's garage. I also was thrilled they got to see Aunt Karen in true form with the ideas just rolling along! But I was really grateful for this support, it was a very trying day and with their help we figured it out and was able to do what needed to be done. At one point Carolyn mentioned how she has been to corporate team building exercises where corporations make their staff members and employees do drills and ice breakers to build team skills and such. She said none of those she has been to built the team building the way we came together that night!

TEAM stands for Together Everyone Achieves More. Thank you to all my fellow team builders for your help! From Aunt Karen to Heather to Thomas to Carolyn to Ashley! (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

The Table

At the Mike Lee seminar in Pennsylvania, Mike began with a more philosophical approach. I have always said, from day one meeting him, this man is very brilliant. He may be a badass warrior on the outside (which he is) but there are several layers to this man that is absolutely brilliant, structured, and philosophical. I remember first meeting him and he layed out a structure using combatives, but if you really listened to what he was saying, he was drawing out a road map that pertained to our everyday lives.

I think recently he has noticed that as much as people learn physically from him, it's from the motivational concepts that he brings to the table (no pun intended coming up) that people walk away with the most. SO at Hudson Valley Haganah, Mike Lee Kanarek began his seminar with a concept that is going to be explained further in his new upcoming book, which will be found not in the martial arts section but in the motivation section!

He claims he knows why most people in life are lost and cannot find direction in their lives. Because they cannot take care of their table! This is how it works. Think of a table. It has four legs. If all four legs are strong and sturdy, it will hold up the table evenly and work together to keep it strong. If you were to jump on top of your table, would the legs crack and break? Or would they hold you up? So each leg represented a category to really pay attention to in your life that needs to be fulfilled.

The first leg is HEALTH. Obviously, this is a very strong aspect of Mike Lee's life, especially being a soldier and doing what he has done all his life. The layers to your health pertain to proper exercise, proper nutrition, proper rest, proper mindset, proper mental stimulation. Mike hates people that do not respect themselves and eat crap all the time, not exercise, let themselves go. People allow their bodies to get inflammation either through improper exercise or eating improperly, etc. If the people testing for FIGHT Black Belt were to not pay attention to this leg, there is no way in hell they could have passed their test.

Every time someone makes a choice to eat badly consistently, go out drinking all the time, sleep very minimally, not taking the time to take care of the bodies they have, you cut away at that leg. The leg gets shorter. Can you imagine a table with three legs and one small one? The table becomes wobbly, it effects the other legs, if you jumped on that table, it will surely collapse.

The second leg is SUPPORT/FAMILY. It amazes me how even at a Mike Lee Seminar, the theme of the year is brought up! I've been discussing this all year and it pops up everywhere! Even at a Haganah seminar! Family is not always blood. And that family or that source of support can even be ONE person! But it is a human need to have that love and connection, that support that fuels us. It's a sad thing to live in this world alone. How many times we see someone and you know they will always have their "person".

Mike spent the longest discussing this leg. Coincide-ance at it's best I guess. I know it's hard for people who have so many people around in their lives and yet feel alone in this world. But the power of support does help a person function and have more fulfillment in their lives. If you don't allow for that support, or don't create a family where you belong, it cuts away at that leg as well, hence weakening the foundation of your table.

The Haganah organization is a strong brotherhood, Mike has done a beautiful job creating that support system for many who take part of this organization. The loyalty all these badass warriors have for Mike Lee Kanarek is awe-inspiring as well. I am sure many would die for him, many would take a bullet for him, and many would fight in battle along side him if he asked.

The third leg is CAREER. He did NOT say job! A job is not one's career. Some of us have the blessing of being able to do what we love to do so much, find fulfillment in what we do that gives us great joy. Some people have jobs but their career is in something else. But when our career brings us money, money sad to say is needed to function in this world. Without it, we find ourselves stuck. As my 88 year old friend Mary says "It don't take money to make you laugh, it takes money to make you cry!"

Mike says money is your ammunition for the battlefield of life. What is your contribution to this world? What difference are you making to better your little corner? When you have a job, own it and do your best to fulfill it to the best you can. He used an example of a screw business. Someone in the screw business knows his screws inside and out. Material used in their making, which benefit where, costs, quality, etc. Everything in their craft! And of course, my student John Vanderhee who has been in the screw business for years was there. It was like Mike was talking to him! Hence the birth of his nickname, Screwman! LOL!

The fourth leg is HOBBY. We need to do something OUTSIDE of what we normally do that brings us joy, allows us to JUST BE, and to function at a different level, once again keeping our table strong. Even in self-esteem work, when I would teach organization I would teach we need to organize our lives into 4-6 different areas. And I made it MANDATORY to have one of them labeled as FUN or ENTERTAINMENT. We need to make this area of our life just as much as a priority as Financial or Home or Health.

Looks like Mike Lee is right on the ball with this. As thought provoking and insightful as could be, this philosophy on life would indeed help so many maybe find a little direction and not be so lost. With direction can one feel accomplished. And the more people become accomplished, the more motivated an individual becomes. How many times do we run into people who say "I just have no motivation." Well Progress is the key to motivation, so start progressing on the legs of your table! And the stronger your legs and the more your allow your legs to grow together, the higher you go and you'll be able to look above any hedge or wall that seems to be an obstacle. Focus on the solution, never the problem. If you come to me with a solution, there's no problem!

So I reflect on my own table. If I jumped on my table, would it stay strong or collapse? SO of course as I do anything, I reflect on a longer scale. I already had my table collapse and break. A couple years ago I don't even think I had any legs on my table lol. This past year has been so good to me. Health is great, never sick, training hard, my mind is clear and getting in better and better shape, eating right etc. Support, that's what this entire year was about. I belong to three wonderful organizations, my school is growing more than ever, my students are absolutely wonderful, my mentors and master are wonderful, and friends long term and new who are more loyal than I have ever had in my life. Career has spear headed in such a small time, and my work to this world of mine has grown stronger than ever. My school is growing, foundation is stronger, and yet room for growth has phenomenal potential as well! Hobby......well....maybe one leg needs some work. The only thing I can think of is I love my TV shows and movies. I do a lot of that alone now these days, but it is something I enjoy and I love getting lost in a story and binging when I can. Not much but it's a start.

SO I implore you, and ask you the same question Mike Lee asked me: If you would to jump on your table, would it collapse, or stay strong?
(BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

TMAFC meets Mike Lee

I tested for 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2009 at Master Balon's school. It was there I met another one of my mentors, Master DeJesus. He was testing for 4th Degree. For the self-defense portion, he asked me to be his partner for his portion. It was there that I experienced (as the dummy) Haganah for the first time. I was amazed and loved what I saw and said to him right there, that very day "You're going to teach me this!"

Anyone who knows me well knows when I saw I'm going to do something, I do it. And everybody says things like that. "You gotta teach me that!" "I wanna learn that!" Blah blah. Well I follow through. When I was testing for 4th Degree myself, this was the challenge for me, to learn Haganah. I would train once a month and practice on my own and come back and do a little more and I did that for I think a year before he told me I was going to test o_O.

Quite honestly, I loved learning it, and it was a challenge for me to push the envelope in the next level of what I called "self-defense" training. I never thought I would ever rank in the system. But when the mentor says that's what you're going to do, that's what you do. I remember watching a Haganah test and wondering if I could do that. I had my doubts. SO as any good mentor does, Master DeJesus pushed the envelope and I did it. I was very proud. It was a year later I think that he recommended I go and do the Haganah Gun Disarm Certification to become an Instructor. Yet again, something I never thought I would do. But if Master DeJesus thought I could do it, then I guess I could do it.

I loved it, and enjoyed it so much! Then I was invited that March to the annual Haganah Conference where I fulfilled the Empty Hand and Knife Disarm to become a full fledged Gen 2 FIGHT Instructor! I never thought I'd be an instructor for this system! Then I went to Mike Lee Kanarek's school last May for his Battle Ready Kickboxing certification. I never thought I'd ever be training with Mike Lee at his own school! Then I spoke to Mike and Master DeJesus about me doing a Haganah FIGHT program at my own school. And sure enough TMAFC has become an Authorized Training Center and I began the FIGHT program in July.

I remember when I first went to a Mike Lee seminar. So you can imagine my thrill to have my very own FIGHT students go for the first time to a Mike Lee seminar then! Mike Lee Kanarek was at Hudson Valley Haganah school, a Tiitanium status level school run by the newly appointed regional director Ed Du Pless. I brought seven people to the seminar and I was so thrilled for them to meet him, see him instruct, hear his philosophies, enjoy his cadence and humor, listen to his stories, and to learn hands on from the founder of the system himself. They also got to meet MY Haganah instructor, Master DeJesus and his own students from his school. It was the first time I wasn't just there as me, but as TMAFC.

I am proud of be a part of this system, and proud of my students pushing themselves and opening their horizons. I was also happy for Master DeJesus to meet my own students. I hope he's proud of me. And I owe him so much. These are all things I never expected and planned on. And I am very grateful. Last weekend I was at Mike Lee's school in Florida training for my Blade Warrior Certification with him (future blog). There is always something new for the next adventure! (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Summer 2015

I haven't had a summer to myself for many years. I think 2004 and 2005 I trained heavily being a competitor. In 2006 I was very sick and didn't do much, 2007 I trained very seriously, 2008 I worked and moved out of my house, 2009 I was working to start my business, 2010 I opened my business, 2011 I was training for more 4th Degree test, 2012 I was working on new projects, 2013 was a very rough summer for me, and 2014 was no better.

I haven't been on a real vacation in so long. I can't even remember. A time when I've gone and just done NOTHING. But I also can't remember a summer I really enjoyed. There was always SOMETHING! And when that something was not there, a new SOMETHING was there to take it's place. I opened my business in the summer so I was very busy and my first three summers were great. Then I had a few summers that were not great. Well this year, the summer of 2015, I didn't worry at all. It was for the first time, a good summer.

Now I didn't vacation any at all either. However, I at least enjoyed it. From May to Sept I was definitely busy. Like I've said before, my idea of hell is an empty calendar. I use every second of my time in some way. In May I spent an entire day with Sifu, went to Mike Lee's school in Florida for Battle Ready Kickboxing, and had the second Iteration of the Just Be BBQ. June I had kung fu test of my own, belt testing for my students, celebrated five years of open doors of TMAFC, and went to nationals (upcoming blog). Besides the beginning of July being nationals in Florida, I also had visited Nina in Baltimore for a weekend, officiated at the Junior Olympics in Virginia, and in I August I went to Georgia for ten days.

September hit and the first weekend I was back to work only to go back to Florida following weekend for Team Trials for the AAU Taekwondo, then had Black Belt testing at TMAFC, and then went to Tennessee (upcoming blog). Back to workshops and LBI, seminars, and October to December I am booked.

That makes me happy. I keep moving. Just this time, in the right direction. It'll almost be a whole year since I've moved TMAFC to Saddle Brook, and I have a lot of new. It wasn't a bad summer at all.

As I move through the fall, I have been extremely nostalgic. I always am. It's worse this year. But I'm okay. As I reflect on the summer I already am thinking about next year's summer. In my head the summer of 2016 begins a whole new plan of things for five years. I will do everything. But it will also require me having no summer for another five years, hahaha. But I will be soooo enjoying my journey towards my goals very much.

(BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Nationals 2015

Summer of 2013 was the beginning of the end for me. It trickled into the entire year of 2014 which was a horrible horrible horrible year. In 2013, I requested to officiate the nationals but there were enough referees and I wasn't needed. Okay, that's fine. I often wonder if things would have been different if I did. I don't know. But 2014 was so horrible for me that I really didn't want to go to the nationals that year. But God bless spirit.

I have a student who is VERY committed who chose to compete and it was enough for me to go because he worked so hard that year to make it to nationals, it was an experience he has earned, and whether it is one person or ten people, I'll be there for anyone who is that committed. But quite honestly, I wasn't up for going. I really didn't want to. I almost didn't. But I put in the request to officiate this year and this year I was accepted to work. SO it would be my first time working a national level tournament.

Well I can't imagine what life would be like if I did not go to the nationals that year. I met a tremendous amount of wonderful people and friends, some who I even consider family, that I could not imagine the year to follow without their presence in it. SO for 2015, I was very excited to go back. And I had a helluva a year officiating for the AAU and other independent tournaments. This year I was also looking to become a Clinical Administrator for New Jersey and to go for my upgrade. I also had students competing and was very excited for them and having them part of the nationals again this year.

The nationals is the only time when we ALL can be together at the same time. Everyone from Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, New York, Florida, North Carolina, Montana, and we all work together and get along together beautifully. Not only are they wonderful people, but they are truly fantastic martial artists as well. I don't just talk about refereeing and tournament stuff, but we also talk about our training and teaching methods, things we do from where we come from, concepts, philosophies, students we teach, etc.

But we all also just genuinely enjoy each other's company. They are a fabulous support group and everyone is as professional on the floor as they are fantastic martial artists. But I think the comradery everyone has with each other is also a great attribute to the success of the AAU events. The officials are consistent and professional, work very hard, helps each other out and has each other's back, and having a lot of fun as well. This is what makes the events go so well in my opinion.

I was very proud of both my students who competed, they worked so hard and represented so well. William Stiehl is my only student who has gone to the nationals every year we have gone since 2012. Nicole Vidal had a helluva good first year, being the only white belt I have ever had on the competition team, got 1st or gold in just about every competition she went to in her first year, belt tested up to her green belt, worked with 7th Degree Black Belts, and exactly one year since she began training made it to a national tournament. I was so proud of them!

My mother happened to be in Florida with my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin and one night we all go together for a team dinner. It was very nice to celebrate all together, including with one of my mentors Dr. Stiehl. Nicole had tested for low green belt before nationals and I awarded her belt at the team dinner we had also that night. It was really great together.

One of my highlights at nationals was working for the first time the Special Needs Division. To me, it was awe-inspiring. I was so motivated and inspired to be a part of this program and want so much to develop it further in New Jersey (future blog). I saw what it did for these kids and young adults and the spirit it developed in them, the wonderful character they bring to the mats, it is something that needs to grow and people need to take part in.

At the end of the week, the officials get together on a dinner cruise after a long week of working. My mother came as my plus one and she got to meet a lot of these wonderful people. I know many of them roll their eyes because they do this every year for so many years, but to me it is such a treat. I wouldn't care if it was every year (I mean that's exactly it-- once a YEAR) but to be altogether like that just being, it's a gift I do not take for granted.

 I am blessed to be a part of this other world and have the support system just about anywhere I go in this country. I often think, imagine if I never went that one year to nationals? How life would be so different....Time...gives you just what you need when you need it I guess. This year has been so fabulous, I can only imagine how next year will be. After all, it'll be one week before my 5th Degree Black Belt test....

(BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

My Aunt Gladys

Aunt Gladys, me, and Grandma Cyn in 2005

My Grandma Cyn and I are very close. We have lots of good times together and we laugh a whole lot. Along with my Grandma Cyn who I call weekly, I also call weekly my other grandparents, and I call down in Florida to see how my friend Mary is doing, and I would also call my Aunt Gladys. Aunt Gladys is my Grandma Cyn's older sister.

 Many times when Grandma and I would talk about things, she would sometimes feel she was cheated out on certain things in life. After all her father died when she was a mere five years old. A few years later at 13 her mother died. When she was in her fifties she lost her husband, my grandfather. The one long term constant she always had in her life was my Aunt Gladys.

Both parents gone by the time she was 13, my grandmother was pretty much raised by her 19 year old sister and her husband, my Uncle "Lefty". SO her sister, who she shared everything with and was very close with became more of her mother. Pretty much most of their family deserted them when they were so young and then all past away by the time they were in their forties. Both women never believed they would make it past their forties.

Grandma Cyn and Aunt Gladys in the 1960s

Aunt Gladys and Grandma Cyn at my parent's wedding in 1982.

 Well both women have lived very long lives and have made beautiful families. My Aunt Gladys and Uncle Lefty had three wonderful boys who married wonderful women who were treated as daughters by my Aunt Gladys. My Grandma Cyn left her Jewish roots and married this loud Italian family and had three children who all had children of their own as well. Both grew these beautiful families when their family left these two young teenage girls all alone.

The legacies continued and as matriarchs taught their families love, compassion, values, and support. They gave tradition, laughter, and wonderful memories and they did this through demonstrating this with each other. They loved each other, talked constantly and always kept great presence with each other's lives.

I remember many times going over for Passover and going to my cousin's Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, Aunt Gladys came to almost every Christmas we had over here, and I always wore my red ya-mica thinking it was so cool when I was younger. My Grandma would always talk about "her sister" and the stories and memories they shared. Not only in good times but in bad. When my grandfather died in the 80s, Aunt Gladys was there for her sister. When Uncle Lefty died unexpectedly, Grandma Cyn stayed with Aunt Gladys in Long Island until after shiva.

Grandma Cyn and Aunt Gladys in the 90s

Grandma Cyn and Aunt Gladys at a family party. 

 Aunt Gladys was very big on fashion and looking good. My Grandma Cyn isn't too far from the tree when it comes to looking good herself. Aunt Gladys was not a vain person but did always want to look good, and she always did! She was always very creative with her hands and took classes such as painting and pottery and things of that nature. She also worked right into her late 80s, maybe early 90s.

Aunt Gladys always had some health issues over the years, but she always persevered. She was a fighter for sure. She survived cancers and illnesses, and just went with the flow. She always had a good perspective and I believe that's a key to living a long life. I remember Grandma Cyn said she hated watching old movies because she was depressed all those old actors and actresses were dead. I remember Aunt Gladys saying "Oh Cynthis get over it! We're all gonna get old and die someday! It's no big deal!"

She always said to live life and enjoy yourself. She ALWAYS said that. It's that reason I believe her granddaughter Erica went away to college, or why her grandson Cary went to Iceland to visit, or why her granddaughter Brittney went to work in the city, she always encouraged us all to live your life and enjoy it!

The sisters at Grandma's birthday 2005

Grandma Cyn and Aunt Gladys at a summer BBQ at Aunt Karen's house

 I remember one point, Aunt Gladys wasn't able to walk and get around easily. I remember calling her to say hello and I just happened to catch her all excited because she passed a test to have a scooter. At 90 years old she was taking and passing tests and having a goal set in mind! How amazing is that. "Oh Andrew I want this so bad!" I remember her telling me. She was very independent and liked to get around on her own. She liked doing for others and had a big heart, which she taught to my grandmother.

This past year I went to Long Island for Passover but Aunt Gladys wasn't feeling well and couldn't come. I was sad I didn't see her but I gave her a call. Weeks later, we were told she was not doing well and it was only a matter of time before we would have to say good bye. I've had a lot of loss in my life, but this time we knew it was coming.

I don't think I wanted to think about it. But I also knew I had a chance to say goodbye and tell someone I love them. It was a Wednesday and I was alone in my office and I called Aunt Gladys's number. Her son picked up and put me on speaker. "Hello Aunt Gladys! How are you feeling today?" "I'm fine how are you, dear?" she said in a weak voice, still seeing how I'm doing. "I'm good, I just wanted to call and tell you that I love you so much and I hope you are feeling well!." "Oh that's so nice," she said. "I love you too, hun, thanks for calling."

Aunt Gladys died Thurs June 11, 2015 at the age of 92 years old. I just so happened to have spent all day with Grandma Cyn earlier before we found out. My heart broke for my grandmother. I remember that afternoon I sat in front of Strive on the couch in front and just looked outside the window. I was so sad. I thought about her sons and my cousins, the beautiful family she made. My Aunt Gladys lived a good life. I think the only comfort for the family is to know that she is reunited with her beloved husband, our Uncle Lefty again. But alas! Her granddaughter last week gave birth to what would be Aunt Gladys's FIRST great-grandchild Charlie!

We know she's looking down and watching over young Charlie, and the rest of the family. I just got off the phone with Grandma Cyn, and she misses her sister very much. We all do. But we remember her, and think of her, and are all so grateful for the wonderful things she gave us, especially her love. And we love you, Aunt Gladys.

Uncle Left and Aunt Gladys, Christmas 2004

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO