Evelyn Froehlich

Since the physical passing of Evelyn Froehlich this past week, I have re-read my blog posts that I created in the summer of 2009 My grandmother once said to me, “Joanna, don’t get old. It’s horrible”. Perhaps it is not age that was causing her this “horrible” feeling, but the understanding that her body was becoming much more physically limited. This was a great challenge for a woman whose mind was still bursting with feelings and ideas.

There are 4 unavoidable parts to every life: birth, age, sickness, and death. Depending on one’s personality, (if one has either a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty view on life), each of these unavoidable stages can be viewed in various ways. Evelyn would often tell me stories of her past, which were either great moments of joy or great moments of learning for her. Even aging for Evelyn, as horrible as it may appear, proved to be a great lesson in life for me.

Through aging, Evelyn shared with me what she felt was the most important parts of life. She shared about her life as a young girl in a Polish family in Chicago. She taught me a few basics to the Polish language, (most importantly how to say I love you, happy Easter, and Merry Christmas). She shared her experiences as a teacher in the rural schools of Illinois. The best for me, however, was hearing about how she observed my mother and all of my amazing aunts and uncles as they grew from inside of her into adults.

Evelyn was always a character unto herself. As much as I loved all of my grandparents as a child, Evelyn and Ralph always appeared to be two totally different people living, loving, and supporting one another. Through this love, I know that Evelyn could truly be herself to the best of her ability.

In life, I hope that we may all do the best for ourselves. The most important message that Evelyn shared during our final visit was, “I love you”. This message was repeated almost every day I saw her. Although her body was slowly fading, her mind was clear and her message was as consistent to me then as it had been to me since birth.

May this love keep us strong and supportive as individuals who are part of a wild and wonderful family. May we continue to learn and grow from our choices in life while never forgetting that love is an ever-present connection among us.

With more love than possibilities in life,

Joanna