Pre- Quarantine Moment #1

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Pre- Quarantine Moment #1

West Chester, PA

March 14, 2020

Maybe I should have gone to the food store a few days ago.

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52Sharon Kelly Hake, Leslie Coren and 50 others

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VISITING WITH MY NEPHEWS

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VISITING WITH MY NEPHEWS

MIDDLEBROOK, VA

FEB, 2020

Enjoying my visit with my nephews!!!

54Sharon Kelly Hake, Lauren Anderko and 52 others

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Are We Better Off

ARE WE REALLY BETTER OFF?

November 2012

For the past several months, Republicans have been asking us, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” and every time I wanted to answer, “Of course I am. Bush was in office four years ago today.”  But I surprisingly restrained myself.  And then I always wanted to ask, “Is it really the role of government to make my life better?  And what does better mean?”

So today I reflected on that question and I can honestly say:  Yes, I am better off than I was four years ago.  I think our country is better and I think the world is just a little safer and better.

It is safer for me to travel the world today than it was when George W. Bush was in office.  I am no longer badgered and ridiculed for the popular choice of Bush.  As one European told me, “the first time you elected him, we said we hate your government, not the people, but the second time you elected him, we hated the people because you chose to elect him again. You sent a Fuck You to the world.  You told us that you only care about your own interest”. 

So, for the last four years, in China, in Greece, in Egypt, in Honduras, in Morocco, in Belize, in Canada, people have recognized me as an American and have given me the “thumbs up”, and cheerfully shouted “OK America, OK Obama.”  I feel safe again.

The second reason I think we are better is because of the controversial Affordable Health Care Act.  I am so grateful for the passage of this act. My Cobra health insurance expired on Feb. 29, 2012.  Initially, I thought this would be no big deal.  But I was wrong.   I thought I understood the health insurance problem. I thought the issues centered around those people who could not afford health care or who chose not to buy quality health care.  I was not one of those people.  While I never liked paying $720/month for my health care, I shut up and paid it.  I want quality health care and I was more than willing to buy the insurance for quality care.

So then, Feb 29, 2012, 18 months into retirement, my COBRA came to an end.  And I didn’t really understand that either. I didn’t understand that it would take an act of congress to extend COBRA for all of our unemployed workers, for early retirees such as myself and anyone else in need of insurance.   So now, I was no longer legally eligible to pay my full share of health insurance as it was provided to me prior to my retirement.   I spent the month of January, researching plans, talking to friends in retirement, calling my retirement coordinator, etc.  Once that was done, I narrowed my choices to five plans.  I started the tedious task of filing out long forms and sending for all of my medical records.   I think I applied to five companies.  Then in February, I went to China to teach for the semester.  It wasn’t until Feb. 25 when I started receiving one rejection letter after another.  All of my requests were rejected because I have pre-existing conditions.  I had a shoulder strain in 2009; I have high cholesterol, acid reflux and a few other minor things.  I never had cancer, lung disease, a stroke, a head injury, diabetes, heart problems, MS, or any of the other disease listed on the fifteen-page document of pre-existing conditions.  And right now, I am in the best health I have ever been.  I had an untreated arthritis problem in my lower back which caused me to be in chronic pain.  It had gotten to the point where I could hardly walk 500 feet without being in lots of pain. The pain got so bad that I contemplated getting a cane. Instead, I decided to get in better shape.  So, I lost 50 pounds and I am pain free and have more agility than I have ever had my entire adult life.  I feel so great that I walked 50 miles of the Camino de Santiago (Spain) two weeks ago. But none of this matters because I have reached the age where I am an insurance risk.

 Now I have the only insurance plan eligible to me, thanks to Obama Care.  The cover is expensive and provides minimal coverage for most medical situations.  It is affordable but it is lousy.  I am hoping to hang on to my good health and good fortune until 2014 when better coverage becomes available.

There are other issues that Obama has initiated which makes me proud: 

I support and embrace Obama’s position against torture.  I support and embrace his position on same sex marriage. I am relieved that he shut down the Abu Ghraib prison. I am happy to get rid of the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.  I agree with his position to advance educational options for children of illegal immigrants.  I am thankful that we have withdrawn all of our troops from Iraq and I look forward to the safe return of all of our troops in Afghanistan.

There are other things going on that may or may not be a direct reflection on his administration.  But the economy is beginning to bounce make.  Our gross domestic product is up 30% since he took office.  The stock market is bouncing back.  The jobless rate is declining. Manufacturing continues to be competitive in the global market.  And we are not starting any more wars.

I feel hopeful under Obama’s leadership.  I think he has a healthy understanding of our place in this global world that is trying to catch up with us.  I think he sees that we can all co-exist with other countries and it does not have to be at a cost to us.  I see the world embrace him and trust him. And I think we will only advance in peace, trade, partnerships and innovation.

Yesterday, I worked the polls for ten hours and I loved watching the process of democracy in action.  The polls were packed, and it appeared to me that anyone come in with conviction and a commitment to the importance of voting.  I didn’t see any undecided voters.  I saw people who were determined to have their voices heard.  And maybe all of their vibes were so much more pronounced to me because of the time I recently spent in China.   I enjoyed the day, in spite of the cold and the wind.

But last night, as the early returns came in, I began to panic. I was thinking only of me.  Things weren’t looking good and I saw my health insurance vanishing.  What would I do if Mitt Romney won and kept his promise that he would get rid of Obama care on day one?  Would I lose my insurance?  Or would the price of my insurance go even higher as the private industry of health care raise their profits even higher.  There was a huge sigh of relief when I read the words on the screen: HE WON.  

I took a deep breath and thought to myself: I FEEL BETTER.

Cruising with My Niece

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Cruising With My Niece

PHL Airport

January 29, 2020

"I wonder if she will still be speaking to me in 10 days when this trip is over."

39

• Susan Descano : Have a great time. She'll love it!

  
  

  Bridget E Kelly:  Susan Descano we are headed to see Jaye and Dom for a few days and then we are picking up a cruise to the Caribbean. We are going to have lots of time together.

  
  

  Susan Descano : Bridget E Kelly Sunshine, great food and laughter. And lots of places on the ship to explore or get away on your own.

  Sissy Sayer Staeger : Is this our little Lauren that promised to take care of you. I still remember that note.

  Bridget E Kelly:  Sissy Sayer Staeger she’s here right now, taking care of me!!!

  Sissy Sayer Staeger:  Bridget E Kelly you are a lucky lady. Enjoy! When you get home get the gang together and come to me for dinner. It’s been too long.

  
  

  Betty Diane Ulrich:  I want to go with you....someday

  
  

  Erin Kelly Thompson:  If she’s not happy, you can always adopt me to go on fun adventures with! 🙌🏻😂

  Bridget E Kelly:  Erin Kelly Thompson I’ll tell her.

  
  

  Leslie Coren : Where to?

  Bridget E Kelly:  Leslie Coren a few days in Cape Coral and then on a cruise to the Caribbean.

  Michelle DiFidelto Dickerman:  Have fun!

  Kathryn T Nicolella:  Have lots of fun!

  
  

  Teresa Kelly:  have funnn!

  
  

  Katie Uhler:  Cape Coral is great! Enjoy!!!

  
  

  Kathi Lewis:  Enjoy yourself! Safe travels!!❤️

  
  

  Erica Torregrossa:  I'm sure she will.

  
  

  Jessica Gumm Kahler I just missed you! Was in terminal E at 11am to fly to Fort Myers with my older daughter. We are on Sanibel Island together for a few days. Hope you enjoy!

  
  

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Quarantine Day #17

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Quarantine Day #17

April 5, 2010

"The Corona virus has just hit too close. RIP Mary Ann Hynes. Thank you for so many years of friendship. And to the Schweinbergs: Eric, Karen and Stephanie, I am so sorry".

Some responses:

Susan Talbot: Washburn What a beautifully written obituary ❤️

Amalfi Ramirez Finnerty:  Condolences for you and all who knew her.

Jessica Heath:  I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. The Schweinberg family is in my thoughts. ❤

Tara Bradshaw:  My sincere condolences to the family. I went to school with her late daughter Donna.

Mercy Shemansky:  So sorry for this family’s loss...Karen, Ron and the entire Schweinberg family are in my thoughts. ❤️

Janine Sangillo Graff : So sorry for you and your friend Mary Ann’s family.

Bridget E Kelly:  Mary Ann was on the Stroudsburg School Board and hired me for my first administrator position.-

Janine Sangillo Graff : Bridget E Kelly wow! She sounded like a wonderful woman with many interesting accomplishments.

Rosina Rucci:  So very deeply sorry Bridge. 🙏🏼

Susan M Montero:  I am so so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences ❤️

Stephanie Cipriani Morrison:  Love and light to the family, I’m so sorry.

Angela DeCaprio Norris:  So sad to hear. The Schweinberg family were the first people I knew in Stroudsburg. My love is with them.

Becky Snook:  So sad to hear. They are such a lovely family that has been through so much. May she rest in peace sweet peace

Gloria Handling:  Sincere sadness for her whole family. God bless. 😢

Michelle Nakamura:  I am so sorry for the families loss- it has struck me as someone from my home town and was now living 15 minutes from me.

Alice Luongo:  I am so sorry to hear your post on Mary Ann. She and I served in the school board together, and became good friends. When she moved, we lost track of each other. What a tragic loss. Thanks for letting us all know. Stay safe.

Kristen Minter : Oh, Dr. Kelly. I'm so sorry.

Bridget E Kelly:  Kristen Minter me too.

Kristen Minter:  That family went through so much when they lost Donna.

Betsy Scholz Paugh : Very sorry. Donna was a close friend of my daughter’s. My sympathies to the family.

Pamela H. Hoy:  Thank you for posting this, Bridget. Seeing this touched so many memories including Mary Ann being a neighbor of my sister and family near Kent Road (Pat and Dave Kresge) in STBG, Donna being a dear friend to our sons and to so many in the music circle…

Chris Arllen Reeder : I’m so sorry to hear that news about Mary Ann. I remember your visit with her to the convent retreat in Harvey Cedars. Thinking of you.

Debbie Shur : I’m so sorry Bridget. ❤️

Carol Fox : My heart is broken! She was always a best friend, and driving force in my life, even though circumstances and miles separated us. My thoughts and prayers are with her precious family. May God bless. 🙏💖💖💖💖

Alanna Levenson : Sorry to hear about your friend. Sending condolences as you celebrate her life. 🙏🏼

Swati Udita:  May her soul rest in peace.

Sharon Entenberg Feinblatt:  Sending Prayers and thoughts of love to all of you. Karen, Ron and the entire family. ❤️

Leslie Coren:  So sad... I'm so sorry, Bridget.

Judy Jackson-Grier : I am so sorry for your loss.

Bridget E Kelly:  Judy Jackson-Grier I’m relieved to know that you are on the mend from this dreadful virus.

Jennifer Willet Coye:  Deepest sympathy to the family

Charles Charlotte:  So sorry for your loss