Saint Mary Interparochial School
Fifth & Locust Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 923-7522
Fax: (215) 923-8502
Cares: (215) 923-6994

Email: info@saintmarys.us

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         February Notes:

In Memoriam

Virgil Tabasco

October 2, 1933 - November 29, 2009

"An appreciation of Virgil"

They were worthy adversaries, the Old Man and the tree.

No matter the day or the season, that tree had something to drop onto the sidewalk at Fifth and Locust Streets.

Yet, every day, every year, the Old Man was there to sweep up, to do battle with the tree.

"Don't go out there. It's too cold!", Mrs. Meredith would tell him.

The Old Man listened to her and smiled. He could not explain his calling to her.

"I swept up there this morning. Was it clean?", he asked Mr. Kelly. It was no matter.

The children of God would scoop up the tree debris from the roof and throw it at each other. No harm done.

But the Old Man could not, would not let the tree beat him. So the roof was swept.

It is a cold November day. The clouds hang low. It is quiet on Fifth Street.

The leaves swirl around Saint Mary School. It is starting to rain.

The dust pan and broom sit by the door. It is said that 'actions speak louder than words'.

The Old Man spoke with his actions. The Old Man won the battle with the tree.

Written by,

Ken Kelly

Monday, November 30, 2009