Chick and Joy

Emil "Chick" and Joy Tkachick - 2002

Yesterday I received a letter from a man I never met.  He was the son of my Mother's longtime neighbors Emil or "Chick" as we always knew him, and Joy Tkachick.  

The letter was from Chick's son.  He told me of his father's passing last year as well as his mother's passing.  

Chick's letter read:

We hope this note finds you and your family healthy, happy and ready for the new year in 2017/ 2016 was a sad year for the Tkachick family as both Dad ("Chick") and Mom ("Joy") passed into the arms of the Lord. We wanted to thank you for your friendship and support to our family our the years. My parents always said they lived in "a caring and loving community" and we are proud that you were part of that family. We profoundly miss them on this first holiday without their presence, but we are still celebrating long lives well lived. We take comfort in the fact that they are together again in peace. So we wish you and your families all the best during the holidays and for the coming year. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Bob and Sue Tkachick

I am sad to learn of the passing of both Chick and Joy. They were always to kind to my parents and to me and my brother, who lives in the family house which adjoins their property.  

The remains of an old barn on Chick's property adjoining my father's garden

After my father died in 2010, I used to garden the acre of land adjoining Chick's property. I always marveled at the beauty of Chicks' seven plus acres of land, which he kept a dozen or so sheep.  Springtime was especially beautiful with Chick's naturalized daffodils blanketing his naturalized backyard.

Naturalized daffodils on Chick's property

Good neighbors are so important to ones quality of life.  My parents were so fortunate to have Chick and Joy as neighbors. I am fortunate to have good neighbors where I live now.  Believe me, I appreciate my good fortune now because when I lived in Pennsylvania I had awful neighbors but I won't go into that at this time.

This is the time to remember the kindness that Chick and Joy always showed to my family and even now, that his son took the time to notify me of their passing.  

Emil "Chick" Tkachick - 2002

With all the bad things going on in the world it's nice to see kindness like this. 

Have a very happy new year!

Chick with my Mom 2002 
(the fence was to keep his sheep in, not his neighbors away)