Monuments
by Denise Novaky on 02/16/14
Between the holiday season and the incessant snow shoveling, I have not kept up with the blog. I am currently between snow bouts and went to see Monument Men at the movies.....I was stunned when the idea for the next blog entry hit me in the face.
George Clooney gives a speech about the importance of saving important artwork from devastation. He reminds us that, if we become lax about saving the achievements of people in the past, their lives amount to nothing but ash; as if they did not live at all. It was at that moment that my past weeks of research and thought about the Garden of Memory flooded into my consciousness and everything made sense.
Because Nick's friends and I agreed that the Garden would be celebrate all young lives that were lost in Mt. Olive, I decided to research those that came before any of us. Researching the foremothers and fathers of our town opened up a world that I never knew existed. I met all kinds of people and read of their accomplishments. I met members of the Budd family who, although lived to a ripe old age, fought in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and brought back interesting first hand accounts. I learned about little Minnie Hodgson who died when she was 10 years old in 1879 of "dropsy of the brain." I learned about David Huff, the butcher, and Charlie Bostedo, the baker; they left us early, too. I read about little Daniel Budd, 3 years old in 1869 who succumbed to Scarlet Fever. I learned that in the 1880s the Cholera outbreak was out of control and took the lives of many.
My interest is not in death but in life; lives of all people should be celebrated because each and every one left something behind. Those babies like little Daniel Budd left the warmth and innocence of a new life. Their parents remind me that I am not alone. Other parents needed to be brave; other parents have grieved the loss of their children; other parents have felt pain; other parents have picked up and went on with life. I find comfort in their memory. So, my prayer is that the Budds, the Bostedos, the Huffs, the Hodgsons and many others can hear my voice in the winds. The winds will tell them they are not forgotten.
The young people from our own lifetime are rememebered as well. I can still see Keith McDonald playing the lead in the MOHS school play Guys and Dolls. I remember the handsome face and friendly demeanor of Pete Armando. Others told me about Jennifer Cialone who saved someone else from getting hit by a car but was fatally injured herself. The list goes on ..... and on. Each left a mark on this life that will not fade and crumble with time. I am told that my son, Nick Novaky, left a mark in the hearts and minds of many. I am sure that others did as well. To all of you in heaven: I will not allow you to be forgotten.
When the Garden of Memory opens this spring, you are invited to celebrate all young lives that are branded into our memories and hearts. You will even be given the opportunity to meet Mt. Olive residents from the 19th century.....stay tuned.
Always,
Nick's Mom
