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Jo-Ann Olkowski
Hello, classmates. I come on our class site so little and post even less; but I hope everyone has had a very good holiday and wish everyone a very happy new year in 2017. There were so very few of you who knew me in our high school days ... but I knew most of you in one way or another from my little "hiding place" in the shadows. I think perhaps in those days I didn't think my existence mattered that much, but life goes on.
I'll try to update you a little on my existence ... yeah, I'm still around! As some of you may know, I started doing in-home healthcare work after moving to Tennessee. After almost 2 years of taking care of a beautiful little lady on a 48 hour work week (and sometimes more hours) she passed on in January of this year - just 4 months shy of her 102nd birthday. I think I just "crashed and burned" mentally, physically and emotionally with her passing. I thought a one month leave of absence would be enough ... unfortunately it has been almost a year and I think I'm finally getting myself back together again, working way fewer hours. Of course, there were other trials and tribulations going on all year as well, but here at year's end things seem to be settling down.
I think the horrific wildfire disaster we had at Gatlinburg put things in very clear focus as to what really matters in life - I'm in great shape healthwise compared to a lot of people my age, I have three beautiful children who love me, I have a roof over my head, great neighbors and friends ... in the long run I have much for which to be thankful.
Gatlinburg is on the mend thanks to the volunteer spirit so prevalent out here that is part of the fabric of people here. Dolly Parton, who has never forgotten her Smoky Mountain roots, had a concert that raised over $9 million for the poorest in her home county - $1,000 per family for 6 months to help them get back on their feet. Dollywood itself was not harmed at all (and for those who so love our American Eagles - her crew went into immediate action to move all the eagles and other large birds of prey in the sanctuary to a better air quality location). We still don't know the final charges that will be brought against the two juveniles who started the fire.
That's about it for me. I haven't been back to Richmond in a couple of years due to work hours, but I'm planning a trip back in mid January. If I don't see anyone else, the Padow's can probably expect me at the Willow Lawn store ... I hope the Willow Lawn store is still there! I absolutely need a good hot pastrami with Swiss on rye!!!
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