This picture was taken of Cassie at Grandma Margie's house on Thanksgiving Day, 1997. The four of us had spent the morning as was always our tradition... waking up just before 9 a.m. to watch the parade. Then, driving to Grandma Margie's house (or, in years past, driving to Aunt Elsie's house) we would tune in WNEW to listen to their annual 12:00 noon broadcast of Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant.

Looking at her now, we think that she looks a bit like she's sitting on the "Group W bench." That was a family joke... just who belonged on that bench for what reason. We all always like the idea of being there together, and would laugh about sitting at the "Group W" table for Thanksgiving dinner. (If you don't know who Alice is, what Arlo Guthrie's big crime was that caused his arrest, and just who sits on the Group W bench and why, find yourself a CD -- or an ancient album -- of Alice's Restaurant, listen to it, and think of Cass.)

We remember a day that Cassie came home from school when she was in fifth grade, proud of herself for having known the answer to Mrs. Robins' trivia question of the day, which asked the name of a famous restaurant in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Sandy Robins commented, with more than a little delight, "What kid would know from Alice's Restaurant and Stockbridge, Massachusetts?" Well, Cassie would, of course!

Another picture that we love was taken on Thanksgiving Day 1997. It is the "Rocking Horse" picture of Cassie, in the beautiful green v-necked shirt that she loved. She never looked more lovely: her smile, her sparkling eyes, and her beautiful hands.

Click on the picture to go to Cassie's Legacy and a larger image of this picture.

We know we will miss Cassie on Thanksgiving Day. We're not certain that we'll be able to watch the parade, or listen to Arlo. But we will love and remember Cassie, and have her with us all day. Before dinner, surrounded by our family who loves and misses Cassie as we do, we'll light a candle in her memory, and say this prayer:

May God remember the soul of our beloved daughter, Cassie,

who has gone to her eternal home. In loving testimony to her life,

we pledge charity to help perpetuate ideals important to her.

Through such deeds, and through prayer and memory,

is her soul bound up in the bond of life.

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© 1998 by Debra Jean and Victor Montemurro. All rights reserved.