Connie’s Corner • June 6th

Hello to all my family and friends. Hoping everyone is in good health and spirits.

Happy June Pride Month to Everyone. Even though, our Pride Parade isn’t until October. It is still our Pride Month in June.

I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves and each other. I, myself, am doing fine. Val and I are not bartending anymore because of our age and health risk, but we are still very much part of the everyday business. We miss seeing all of you on a day-to-day basis. And of course, you know I love to hug everyone and now things are different. So HUGS and KISSES to all of you.

I didn’t mind being in confinement. I accomplished so many things in my home and garden. I took the time to relax and think of what will I do now. I always wanted more time to spend with family and friends and be able to help others when I can.

I have had a lot of time to write more of my autobiography. I do most of the writing when I take my sister, Karen, to her chemo on Mondays. I’m not allowed in the facility. So, I take that time to write. I also keep busy around the bar and I am in and out visiting daily.

I went to New Orleans, in early March, with Karen to Nicholas and Mark’s wedding, which was beautiful. New Orleans is a wonderful place to go. The people are so nice and caring and they are strong people. We weren’t able to go to the St. Pat’s Parade because like many other things they were closed. There was music in the streets and balconies daily. The food was phenomenal and DELICIOUS! I will return someday to see what we weren’t able to and enjoy more fun, music, and food.

Since I’ve been home, I have kept in touch with Marvin, Steve, Jeff, Big Al, Bill, Al, Giggles, George, Kenny, Ed & Jim, Brad, Erika, and so many more. Dale and Jeff, from Ft. Meyers, FL., have kept in touch.

One of our friends, Chuck Usher, who was a dental hygenist and massage therapist, has passed away. He had gone to the doctor and he had found out he had stage 4 cancer. It was too late at that point.

Here’s another blast from the past. Picture this: Columbus, OH; Kismet Lounge, the early 70s, happy hour. Several female bartenders worked here. One of them was Jean Stover. Jean and Sheila bartended as the Kismet. Jean was 83 and was with her partner, Betty, for 50 years. So take a moment for all our friends and family we have lost and one day we may be reunited.
To these difficult times, when I know some of you cannot get out, remember to call someone, send a card or write a letter. Keeping in touch with loved ones, whether family or friends is so important to us. Friendship and love are like one of our basic needs in life, such as food, clothing, and shelter, and OH! Visiting the Southbend from time to time.

Exploring an old or new hobby. Adult coloring books are fun too. It’s amazing what we can do when our lives have been all upset in so many ways today.

The corona Virus wasn’t bad enough that we had to add a little hate and discrimination to the fire. As a child, I was always told to get through each day to remember these three words; FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY. I still live by there three values daily. We must have faith and believe in ourselves that we can make this a better world. We can come together as ONE without hate. And if we learn to love ourselves then we can start loving all human beings for who they are, not what we want them to believe

We all have our own opinions. We will never totally agree on anything. But we need to respect each other and each other’s feelings and this will be a better world. Even Buck and I don’t agree with everything. We have different ideas on somethings. But I’ll be damned if I am going to argue with someone I love because we may not agree on something. Nobody is perfect. We are all the same. We all have the same blood, wants needs, and desires. So, please respect each other so this can be a better world for our future brothers and sisters. Maybe in our community alone, we can make it easier and better from them. I have never understood why one human being wants to harm another. So, let each and every one of us try and make a difference.

I will close for now leaving you with this one last thought:
Life is way too short. End it with love in your heart and a smile until you reach your final destination.

Take good care of yourself and each other.
Much Love,
Connie