Paul Luvera Journal

My maternal grandmother Marija Babarovich was born September 9, 1863 and died on August 5th, 1953. She died the year I graduated from high school in Anacortes, Washington. Her life story is one of great courage and sacrifice involving immigration to America while not being able to speak English. I've previously talked about that in writing about my mother.https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2010/07/mary-thelma-luvera-.html.html I remember her vividly. A tall erect woman with hair piled high on her head, she looked regal and carried herself…

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This year's annual Skagit Pioneer picnic will honor my mother's family, the Babarovich family as Pioneer Family of the Year. It takes place on Thursday August 2nd as the 114th Annual Pioneer Association Picnic. It will take place at Pioneer Park from 11 am to 2 pm at Pioneer Park in La Conner. The park is located near the Rainbow Bridge and admission is $15 per person. Music, speeches and a salmon BBQ are featured. My sister Anita Mayer and…

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On an early Friday morning, July 7th 2000, my mother Mary Thelma Babarovich, died in her sleep at the San Juan Care Center. Her  death was not unexpected. After all, she was born on December 28, 1905 and was ninety four years old when she died. She had been in failing health for some time. Her passing was, in fact, a personal blessing to her as she had been ready to meet her maker for some time. She and dad were…

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My grandfather, Nicola Luvera, was born in Italy where his father, Paolo Nicola and mother Rosa Luvera were were sheepherders And sharecroppers in Gallina Italy. He worked with his father until he was 16 years old when he decided to move to Reggio Calabria where a cousin Antonio working in a slaughterhouse. He was able to get a job with his cousin and lived with his family for four years. Then he married woman from his village. They had a girl…

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 I was going through the wonderful Anacortes Museum (https://www.anacorteswa.gov/333/Museum) photo collection and was reminded of my own life growing up in Anacortes. I was reminded of the lines from Lewis Carroll's classic book Alice in  Wonderland. Alice asks the White Rabbit, "How long is forever?" The White Rabbit responds "Sometimes just one second." In my case, while the events may have happened a "forever" ago, in my mind it seems like just yesterday. For example, I clearly can see what is…

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