Letters-Feb. 17, 2005

Remembering

her father
To the editor:
   The following is a updated reprint of a letter Kathy P. Parsons has written to The Beacon after the death of her father, George Parsons.
   
Three years and a cross to bear.
   Feb. 7 to April 2, 2002.
   Where is George? Has anyone seen George lately?
   Haven’t heard any cycles roaring out front of the shop lately.
   Hey, come to think of it, haven’t seen him sweeping up the front sidewalk or rearranging his motorcycles.
   Say, not to mention, haven’t seen him over at Amy’s Laundromat fixing something or closing up the place at night, either. The lights are on in his shop from time to time, that he owned and operated along with his wife, Bea, and family down through generations.
   Fifty-one years in the wonderful city of Lambertville. Yes, Lambertville, where over many long and hard years, a man with an inspirational dream of opening his own business, laying down roots and having a family all began at 50 N. Main St.
   Hold on. Wait a minute. Still no George.
   No more happy go lucky, whistling and singing. Motorcycle riding, compassionate, caring, intelligent, mastermind of all wondrously mechanical things.
   Laid down roots there, laid down and died there in the same spot. All is still and silent in the motorcycle shop that once added grace, excitement, lessons of life, character and brought business into the economic industry of a river town that is situated quietly still on the New Jersey banks of the Delaware River.
   All that remains are the ever-changing flowers that adorn a steel pole he himself cemented into the ground multiple years ago as I remember watching during my childhood days. Always overly concerned with the traffic on the street in front of the shop, he placed a police to protect neighbors and citizens from potential harm of a busy Route 29.
   Parsons Auto & Cycle Supply, his shop that he was proud of, and a prosperous businessman. Yes, the shop that gave him hope, joy, happiness and inspiration, combined with strong character traits of good morals and principles, truly a law-abiding citizen.
   He passed the values on to all people whom he met. All that remains are the fond memories in the broken hearts of all people who were blessed to have known him.
   Yes, sir, by George, just like his passion for the motorcycle, he will always remain a legend in his own time.
   Unfortunately for George, he had to die two deaths, not just one.
   Once Feb. 7, 2002, face down on a cold dark pavement, two steps away from the "safety" of his sidewalk, that left him a traumatic brain injury victim.
   Again, just 59 days later, his second death occurred April 2, 2002 in the caring arms of his daughter when his earthly body couldn’t fight any longer to stay alive.
   George always made it a point to keep smiling, to trust and to stay open-minded to every wonder and possibility that was presented to him each and every day of his life.
   You learn the only cross you have to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs are the ones who get burned at the stake.
   You can learn and come to believe God isn’t punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It is his will, not your will be to done. It’s just life happening. Evil in its most primal state is the ego.
   I would personally like to offer a prayer to the driver of the vehicle responsible for my father’s untimely death. Forgiveness is God’s teaching. One has to only live within himself while on this earth.
   Daddy, I keep you forever in my heart. I pray for my siblings.

Kathy P. Parsons
Waretown, N.J.

Thanks given

for support
To the editor:
   The Lambertville citizens adversely affected by a redesigned Route 165-29 project would like to publicly thank the following people for their efforts to help us voice our concerns with the project: Rick and Dottie Anthes for their help, time and research into the project.
   We would also like to thank Sen. Leonard Lance for responding to our letter and for sending it on to Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere.
   Thanks also to Freeholder Nance Palladino for following up on our concerns and to the hundreds of people who have signed our petition.

Samuel and Bertha Marriott
S&B Petroleum
Robert Heath
Heath Mobil
Sal and Wendy Maltese
Nicola’s Pizza
Gary Salata
ES & ES Sales
Stefan Slaby
Stefan’s Auto
Pamela Pernot
homeowner
Lambertville