Prayers Up for a Wonderful Neighbor Who Passed Away at the Turn of the New Year While Near Family & Friends in Poland

As my grandparents grew older, I always knew our family was thankful to their neighbors, who acted as eyes on them and helped when necessary. I've always been this sort of neighbor, as it's the best way to pay forward the kindness of those who took care of my relatives when they were on their own and needed extra care. 

Krystyna Kolbuz passed at the turn of the year at age 94. She returned to Poland to be with family for the holidays, where others could look after her. I'm thankful to her son, Paul, who has kept me up to date. It saddens me to see her go, as I loved her pirogies and other dishes, as well as the gentleness she showed to Glamis, and then Karal. In fact, if Glamis went missing, I always knew where she'd be....on Krystyna's porch begin fed bologna and left over turkey slices. Both dogs loved having her next door and always took extra caution when around her.

A few years ago, I bought Krystyna a blueberry bush for her birthday -- partially to share my appreciation for a great neighbor, and also because I know plants cross-pollinate, so blueberry bushes across three yards would likely have a stronger yield (which they do). Krystyna also loved the orchids I'd buy her and I'd sit beside her on the porch while she warmed her legs in the sun. Her husband, Josef, passed in 2019 and while he was still alive, she'd get me to help him when he fell or if she needed my strength to assist him. She also was kind to me during snow storms when I helped to get her driveway and sidewalks clear (Chitunga and Edem were often at the helm to help).

The Kolbuz family is remarkable, and I've enjoyed hearing Polish words (which I don't understand) coming from their backyard or smelling the delicious foods they make while gathering in her home. I remember one time, too, a niece graduated from Fairfield University and I was so surprised to see them at graduation. "What are you doing here," I wondered. "Wait, what are you doing here" they replied. 

Over the years, Krystyna would share the words, "Old. So old. My legs. My God. So so old." Ah, but she was a champion until the end. I often saw her pushing herself to exercise by taking walks around the block, or doing the yard work that she could (Lord knows her home was bombarded with leaves each year from the Sycamores on her street). 

Paul texted on January 2nd that Krystyna Kolbuz moved beyond, and she did so in the comfort of a family that loved her. I was boarding the plane to meet Chitunga in New Orleans and I was sad to read the news, but thankful any suffering was at its end.

I walked by her house yesterday and felt the loss. Krystyna will be missed, as she was often part of my daily walk...if not a wave, then a Penglish conversation in front of her home (that's short for Polish-English).

I know this summer, when the blueberries bloom again, I shall hold several in my hand and hold them to the sky. "These blueberries are for you," I will say. Te jagody sądla Ciebie. I will say in Polish (incorrectly, I'm sure), but I know the love and appreciation will remain sincere. 

I write today to celebrate a great human, neighbor, and mother. It will be odd not having all the joy coming from that home on weekends and during the summer. She will be missed and it saddens me to know she is gone.