Lena Marocco Paulauskas Author

Monday marked the 9 year anniversary since my Dad passed. We celebrated his “homegoing” on Sunday with family.

I had actually planned this thinking it was 10 years. I even said 10 years to everyone, including my Mom. Then we did the math and realized it was only 9 years.
We decided to celebrate anyway.

We met at the grave, sang our family song, The Doxology, said a prayer thanking God for my Dad’s life and for family, took some pictures then headed to a local Italian restaurant.

My Dad always wanted to open his own Italian restaurant.

Not only was it my Dad’s 9 year anniversary, it was also my Uncle Bill and Aunty Brenda’s 61st wedding anniversary and Uncle Jim and Aunty Colleen’s 55th (I think?) wedding anniversary.

It was a beautiful day, not too hot and we shared laughter and memories and caught up on life. My Dad loved having family together and it was always important to him to visit graves of those we’ve lost.

I miss my Dad so much. 9 years later and it still stings, especially when I stop to think about all he’s missed-my kids were so young when he passed, now two of them are almost adults.

I believe he’s watching us and cheering us on from a better vantage point.

One of the greatest teachers I’ve ever met is retiring.

Another great teacher friend of mine wrote an incredible article about the impact one middle school history teacher made on countless lives.

What stood out to me, is how many former students became teachers themselves.

This, is Legacy.
This, is Education at its Finest.
Congratulations, Colonel Rodney Hess on an incredible, inspiring career.

The Teacher You Never Forget Some teachers teach subjects. Others teach you who you can become. Rodney Hess did both.

Circa December 1997.
This is my dad, Dave (short one in light jacket), and two of his brothers, Jim and Phil.

They traveled as a singing group when they were much younger, The Marocco Brothers, Soul Singers from the USA.

As a kid, I loved hearing them sing together.
Phil (playing guitar), and my dad have both passed away.
Last night, as I filmed these clips on my phone I caught myself smiling the entire time.

It was good to hear
Their voices
Singing in harmony
Together again
Reminding me
“God has never failed me yet
He’s not about to do it now
So I don’t have to fret”

Last week, my daughter and I had the opportunity to take care of this cute lil’ guy. He’s the son of my cousin and .

He’s the grandson of my Aunt Debbie and my Uncle Bob. They died before he was born. They never got a chance to hold him tight or play with him.

One of my friend’s texted “They’d be smitten with him.” She’s right of course. But it got me thinking, do they miss us as much as we miss them? Did they get to meet this little guy before he entered our world? Do they ache to hold us like we ache to be held by them?

For now, my daughter and I got in as many hugs as this little guy on the move would allow.

Today my friend Pat would have been 62.
I have known a lot of fantastic people in my life, Pat was truly lovely.

We met because she ran a daycare from her home. She watched all three of my kids at some point and they called her Miss Pat (one of them had trouble with m sounds, so she was P**s Pat.🤣)

On several occasions, I would pick up my kids and end up standing in her driveway or sitting on her couch or stand in her doorway and chat with her for over an hour.

She ended up working at my school for a while and she brought so much joy everywhere she went.

She passed in 2021 and I think of her just about every week. I still want to text her the latest news about my family or send her a poem I’m working on. Or call her to hear her laugh and have her reassure me that I’m doing a good job. That it is going to be ok. That the things I’m facing now which seem so hard, will soon be in the rear view mirror.

So today, in case you don’t have a Miss Pat in your life, I’m sharing some of her texts with you.

“Good morning my dear. I’m good. Have an awesome week. Continue to love and inspire. You are a true living blessing.”

“I was on my way to school and thought about how great it is to have you in my world. Thanks for your obedience to Father’s direction. I heard Him loud and clear. Love y’all.”

“I’m always here for you. Please remember that. Remember who’s you are and that He walks with you always, in all times, the good and not so good times. It’s a test. Stand strong in the knowledge that He never leaves us, and that He is fighting for you.”

Two more sayings she said on repeat,
“Thank you for being you.”
“Pain be gone.”

We love you and miss you, Pat. Happy Birthday, thank you for being you and pain be gone, my friend.

This past week, I saw 2 choir concerts, 3 plays and a rehearsal. I spent LOTS of time with my son’s choir chaperoning an out of state trip.(We rode a bus y’all…for nine hours. EACH. WAY. With over 100 Middle Schoolers.)

I’m so very tired.
But my heart is so very full.

I teared up as middle schoolers (several whom I’ve known for over 9 years!) brought an audience to tears because their music was so beautiful. I watched these young “music makers” struggle to hold back tears during a performance they were so connected to.

At my daughter’s high school choir concert, the crowd cheered for a teacher who was directing for the first time after being gone for cancer treatment.

I attended a rehearsal at my former elementary school of 10 years. I cried watching these young performers carry on the tradition of storytelling from students who have long since graduated high school.

I met a friend (mom of one of my students) to watch a one act play competition where one of my former students was directing. While there I was joined by two former students (now fantastic adults) and saw several colleagues.

Community.
The Arts.
Children creating
Music
And memories
And laughter
And tears.
Experiencing
Humanity

I know we are worried
About the future.
About the loss of connection
About the kids…

The kids are alright.

Keep creating
Music
And memories
And laughter
And tears.
Experiencing
Humanity
The Arts
Creating
Community.

Honored to have one of my poems featured this weekend in the Maui Embrace Women’s Conference 2026 Interactive Guidebook and Trail “The Unbridled Trail”

Last year, I had the opportunity to perform a poem at this beautiful conference. Accompanied by my mom, daughter and a friend, we had a great time connecting with old friends and new!

Thanks .sisters team .marocco and for building a space for women to be refreshed and inspired

Thanks for a great event, Denton READiculous Book Palooza at Toasty Bros.

Good to see old friends and make a few new ones too!

Mental Health Panel at Toasty Bros.