Stories--page 4
From Mom
In high school, Amanda would think of the lamest excuses to not go to school, which by the way usually didn't work. So when she went off to college, she felt the need to excuse herself and stay in good standing. Here is an excerpt from what she sent to her teacher Mr. Dennison. I found it shortly after she sent it...
March 5, 1988 "Dear Mr. Dennison, Had to have the appendix removed Thursday afternoon. I guess they ruptured or something. I am ok now--got lots of presents! I will be back in school tomorrow. Please let me know when is a good time to go over the labs from Friday and if I can make up the quiz that we should have taken today. My address at school is gap8975@waldo.ivcc.edu or send it to me at home if you prefer, but I never get messages here. Thanks a lot."
I printed this out and wrote a note on it telling her that in college they don't really care if you show up or not and what a horrible liar she was and that she had to apologize to her teacher for lying. So, she wrote this:
"Mr. Dennison, My appendix never ruptured. My mom says I just have stones in my gallbladder. I never had surgery either, I just felt shitty and didn't want to come to class on Friday. But I saw my doctor because I finally crabbed enough. My mother told me to let you know I was not on my deathbed though. She says that I overreacted-I gave myself the diagnosis though, it sounded good. I just had to let you know so my Mom wouldn't be mad at me anymore."
We were saving these notes for when she had kids to show them to. I think God has His hands full right now with my little angel.
From Kris Ossola, aunt
I remember the day Amanda was born. Mick had invited some of the guys who were in his construction company over to the house. I honestly don't remember if Butch was at the house or with Nancy in the hospital. It was a beautiful Memorial Day. I remember Nancy wanted to name the new baby Jamie but Grandma O said no--that name was too boyish and came up with the name Amanda.
From Dad
I remember Amanda visiting when I still lived in the ghetto in Rushville and her disgust that the young girls spit as much as the young boys. We also went fishing at the lake and of course Amanda kept score and won again, but she did bait her own hook with them slimy red worms that are such a pain. She said, "By the way, I made the Dean's List this semester," kind of like frosting on the cake after the conversation cooled. What I miss most about Amanda is her indomitable spirit. I've aged a lot in the past several months and my spirit has slowed down and calmed down a lot. She had a long time to go before she would have even slowed down a little. She reminded me so much of myself in my younger years when I would go with little plan or rhyme or reason.
From Joy Jaraczewski, aunt
When Amanda was little, I don't know why, but I called her "Little Turkey Butt." Sometimes she would put her hand on her hips and say, "My name is A-MAN-DA." She was full of piss and vinegar even then. Then, one day I saw her downtown; she was about 10 at the time. When I saw her I said, "Hi Mandy." If looks could kill, I'd have been a goner. Then I got that same response...fists on the hips, "My name is A-MAN-DA!" I guess you had to be there to appreciate the humor in her response and if I had a picture of her doing this then you would know what I mean. But then again, I'm sure we've all seen her in this pose. She was a dandy!
Stories 1 Stories 2 Stories 3 Stories 5
Photos 1 Photos 2 Photos 3 Photos 4 Photos5
Amanda's Musings Amanda's Memorial Garden
Remembering Amanda Other great sites
