Paul Monnette - Letter to Editor

Isn’t it wonderful to be alive to take in the wonders of the world and the things that warm our heart to the depth of our soul.  For example, the beauty of several inches of snow on the boughs of a family blue spruce, the smell of bbq on the grill, the taste of your perfect pizza, the touch of a loved one in a sentimental moment, or the sound of a child’s laughter.  While these are all fine examples of beautiful enjoyment of the five senses.  I offer you an excellent example of the sixth sense.

As I perused the February 1st edition of the Peshtigo Times, I noticed the announcement and beautiful poem in memory of Mary Ann Gardon.  It has been two years since we lost Mary Ann from our world. How fast time goes and yet it seems  just a short time ago I was there just to say hello.  She always greeted me with such enthusiasm and if you needed more proof than her words, all you had to do was look at her smile or the twinkle in her eyes.  I always looked forward to stopping in to visit Mary Ann whenever home for a family function.  Mary Ann would always insist, “come, sit, how are you, how’s the family”?  And by how’s the family, she didn’t just mean my wife, daughter and son, but every one of my 15 siblings.  Her interest was always sincere and she genuinely cared and enjoyed the updates on each one.

Her desk was always full in a way that you knew she had a lot on her plate to get a newspaper out but yet she took the time to spend time with me as if I was the most important person to her.  In short, Mary Ann was a spectacularly special person to me and I have the most wonderful memories of the moments for which I was blessed to spend with her.  Suffice to say, thank you for printing the in-memorandum on the anniversary of her passing.  Without a doubt, your kindness and love of remembrance for Mary Ann sparked a spiritual sixth sense that warms me to my soul and once again, I thank you.

Paul Monnette