Friday, April 12, 2019
Tim, Joe, Danny, Phyllis, Mary Ann, Donna, Tim, and all of "The Neen's" loved ones: In my 58 years, I still only think of two things when I hear the name "Nina," and they are your adorable, doll-like, sweet, classy, dedicated, loving mom with one of the warmest smiles I can ever remember, a smile that could melt you, and, of course, one of the three Spanish ships that Christopher Columbus, took on his first voyage in 1492, aptly named "La Niña." Well, did you know that "La Niña" is Spanish for "The Little Girl"? Indeed, your mom was petite, but she was huge in heart, character, love, and loyalty, traits that were abundantly passed on to all of her children, most certainly including two of the best pals anyone could grow up with, Tim & Joe. I will always treasure the magic childhood and cherish the countless memories we shared on Everts Ave., where the "Our Gang" TV characters were mimicked by the mischievous, snowball-chucking, road-hockey-till-darking, pizza-swiping, Bud Zakoor-"recycling", sandlot-forevering, Modern-Bakery-onslaughting, Roseland-Shorty-freebeeing, Danny's-Donuts-promoting, green Nova-passengering, My-Secret-Gardening-and-out-of-respect-let's-leave-it-at-that, two of you, Jean Paul, Ev & Chris, Kevin & Larry, Joe & John, my big bro Mike and myself. Not to mention the most courageous kid I ever encountered, who uttered the words, albeit, from a safe enough distance, "Bleep me Rhino!" Seriously, Nina's legacy will continue in so many ways, and you guys were blessed to have her, and she was blessed to have all of you and your off-spring, in her long and respectful life. And BTW, joining the rest of the dots to the Christopher Columbus analogy, the other two boats, as we all learned while attending elementary school at Notre Dame, were, firstly, the Santa Maria. Well, there's an easy connection, because all of us had the same barber growing up, Leo Santa Maria. Columbus's third vessel was the Pinta. Now, call this a stretch if you will, but I'm over in China right now where my mind goes weird places. We can't deny that the K of C was a post-childhood staple in all of our lives, which, of course was named after the famous Italian explorer. Well, how many times during our pool-shooting, wrap-poker-hooting-and-hollering, dart-throwing, post-fastball-victory-celebrating did we collectively go up to the bar at the K of C and order a "Pinta" beer? With love & respect to all of you, cheers to the united-again Nina & Bud, Tom, Paula, Alanna, Jaxon & Mia Valcke
