28 The Queens Courier • JANUARY 3, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com victoria’s secrets Of course the food matched the quality and quantity of the decorations. We held our belated Chanukah party VICTORIA SCHNEPS child opening his or her gifts.and delighted in eachChristmas dayon One of the highlights of the week was a visit to the new York Hall of science. Each [email protected] one, except Hudson who had a cough, found So happy 2013 leave. But they will return. The true testa-such fun there that they all want to go back.The hands-on exhibits are so well geared toeach age that they had to be torn away to has arrived family comes back again, hopefully soon.Well, I can’t wait until my little Dallasment of a great museum is that it keeps youwanting to go back. I told Jonah I will miss him and he put his It was a tough year, and yet with beyond a three month old. little hands out and said, “grandma, I will be many sweet times. I’m so happy 2013 These past weeks of senseless kill- back.” Out of the mouths of babes! has arrived. ings have made me want to hug all my May the coming days and nights fill your It was challenging with my hus- children and grandchildren closer to life with good health, laughter, love and band stu in and out of st. francis my heart. I am so grateful for them. enough prosperity to share with others. Hospital to the point I called it my We have lived through a shocking Happy New Year! “home away from home!” I knew I time. In only a few months so many was there too often when the security lives have been senselessly taken from guard in the parking lot, as he was us. Ironically, gun control is getting taking my ticket, began asking how the attention it needs. But I hope Roseann and Perry Frankel hosted their my husband was. They were all so that advocates for the mentally ill will kind. “seize the moment” and challenge “annual feast,” much to our delight. And yet what sustained me were my why their family members are often so wonderful children, friends and work. limited in getting help. action law suit . . . It was a beautiful holiday week, It was only through a class action On a happier note, my little family but my heart was heavy holding back lawsuit brought in the 1970s by par- rejoiced in each other during the holi- the tears as I waved goodbye to my ents of the developmentally disabled day break. Cousins blake, 6, his sister darling Jonah and addison and their residents at willowbrook state Morgan, 3, and Jonah, also 3, and sis- parents, my daughter elizabeth and school on staten island that services ter Addison, 15 months, bonded. And her husband sam. in the community and group homes our little world is so enriched by the They were returning to Dallas after were created and funded. Without addition of five-month-old Hudson. a week in New York, during which the court-mandated orders, none of On Christmas Eve, we went to they stayed at my house, and what a the changes would have happened for roseann and Perry frankel’s “annu- treat it was to hear their little voices people with disabilities. al feast.” Their house sparkled with and see their boundless energy. Yes, But we “seized the moment.” When lighted iciles hanging from every edge they turned my house upside down, shock waves of disbelief were revealed of the roof. making it look like a cyclone came by geraldo rivera’s brilliant investi- Ten-foot toy soldiers greeted us as through, but it was all worth it. gative reporting, things changed. we walked up the candy-cane lit path I adored seeing how their person- Now may be the time for those in to the front door. My Jonah, on seeing alities are developing and how they need of services for their loved ones the house, said it all: “WOW!” are growing. I may be more in tune suffering from a mental illness to take Roseann had created a wonderland with these steps because Lara, my action. It takes just one person to inside too, with 10 trees. Over the Jonah, in from Dallas with his mom, dad and first child, never developed mentally raise his voice and consider a class top was the pink Barbie doll one. sister, was super excited about his gifts! Blake, who is into sports, got a jersey of Our newest addition, Hudson, with mom Morgan loved her presents of DVDs. Addison didn’t want to play with his favorite player. Tracey, is adored by his cousin Addison. toys,but rather, her mom’s wallet. come in for our WINTER specials $500 OFF DYNAMIC DENTAL WORK $500 OFF 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 175-15 JAMAICA AVENUE • JAMAICA
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