Peggy "The Poet" Najar

Be Stong John

2008-10-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Be Strong John
How it that possible?

How can I be Strong?
I lost my wife.

Be Strong John
Peggy would want it that way.

Be Strong John
Get over it others say.

Be Strong John
When will this end?

Be Strong John
I am always with you,

Be Strong John
You will see me soon,

Be Strong John.

2008-10-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

Peggy said, John You Saved My life

2008-09-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

Peggy said to John, You saved your life,
Peggy, You really saved mine

I had no life until I met You,
You became my life
I saved your life?
You saved mine

I was alone and so were you
We became two
We became one in love and spirit
Peggy you saved my life

Without you where is life?.
You saved my life

How I met Peggy Ann Hartigan Najar

2008-09-18T12:42:00.001-07:00

I met Peggy Ann Hartigan Najar on Memorial Day in 1959. I was attending a party at a mutual friend's home. Peggy had helped Betty's orientation to the Telephone Company. So when she walked into the Brown's home, I was immediately smitten. Peggy was in the company of 6 or 7 men and women. They had arrived at the party together. I was trying to get the courage to asked her for a dance.

Finally, with a lot of prayers and some intimidation, I asked her to dance. Peggy's reply was yes. That was a good thing. We danced most of the evening and decided with the other couple to attend the Asbury Park Elk's Dance. We exchanged phone numbers and returned home. I was one lucky guy.

I called her several times and we started to date. Parental pressure created some stress. For one we were moving too quickly and the other college came first. During February of 1960, I asked Peggy to marry me. Thank God she accepted.

I always felt I was out of my league to be marrying someone who was that beautiful, intelligent, and loving. We married in June of 1960 and set up house in Manasquan. We moved several times until our home was constructed in May of 1963. I continued my college education at Monmouth University and worked in retail sales on Cookman Avenue business district. Peggy went back to work at Bell Telephone in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

We were the recipients of three wonderful children, John, Michael, and Teresa. They completed their college education and now have their own families. Peggy's health history was chronic. It was difficult to comprehend her life-long struggle with endless pain. We all wanted to emulate Peggy's life and accomplishments. Her knowledge of business, education, finance, and community service was exempalry.

She worked as a Hospice Coordinator, started new businesses, and assisted at-risk children and adults. She did it all.

Peggy's Unconditional Love

2008-09-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Peggy Najar represented unconditional love. I have tried to put it into words and it is very difficult. I think it is loving chemistry. Something that just happens when you see someone. It cannot be put into words. It just is, a magnetic attraction that pulls two people together.

They start talking, friendship is established, and affection blooms. Unconditional love is what it is: I care for the other's welfare more than I do my own. How can I help that other person reach their true potential?

So there it is, unconditional love. Let it stand by itself, powerful in nature, and unyieding in its presence. Peggy, this is what you represent.

Peggy Najar, woman entreprenuer

2008-09-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

Peggy Najar was a woman before her time when it came to starting new businesses, investments, and monitoring our grandchidren's finances. She worked in the phone company for many years. She understood how the credit systems worked.

Peggy took care of our family and business finances. When she asked me to help her open the Hartigan-Strahan Teacher I was very impressed. The banks refused to give us a loan to start the business so she suggested we borrown on our life insurance policy. We did and the Hartigan-Strahan Teacher Agency was a reality.

She suggested we enlist the mothers in the neighborhood for help. She said that they could work while their children where in school. After school the children
would come to our home and have milk and a snack. We had our own after
school day care. The teacher agency flourished from l968-1980.

Then Peggy decided to initiate the Hospice Corps of Monmouth and Ocean Counties with her Co-Director Mary Hogan. That lasted for about seven years.

After that time our Son Michael Najar was coming home to start his Ideal
Chiropractic Center business. She worked there from 1990-2004. John was starting his Alpine Industrial Buiness in 2000. Peggy worked there and assisted John until his business was up and going. Peggy felt that Teresa and Stuart
needed to explore their options in business. She suggested that Stuart attend a ahome inspection school in North Jersey. This he did and within a year Accuracy Home Inspection was established. They have had the business for about 10 years.

When our grandchildren were born each child received their own mutual funds portfolio. Peggy wanted the grandchildren to be self-reliant and independent. She encouraged our children and their children to save and continue investing in their future.

Peggy took good care of us also. She had the financial insight to establish our family portfolio in stocks, bonds, and IRAs. Peggy and I would try to live within our means.

She was accepted into Heaven on June 22, 2008. Thanks to her, she left me in a stable financial condition. I love and miss her everyday. She would want me to be careful with my finances. God Bless Her for taking care of me. John Najar

Peggy, I lost my friend

2008-09-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Peggy, I lost my friend
To whom do I talk?
Our home is so quiet

Our home is so quiet
What should I do?
Where do I go?

I lost my friend
To whom do I talk
I hear your voice

You talk to me
It will be alright
I am right beside you

Don't be afraid
I am here
Don't be afraid
I am with you now

Talk to me now
I am here
Don't be afraid
I am with you now

Helen Albin, mother, spouse, community servant, and educator

2008-09-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

Helen Albin is one of the most remarkable people Peggy and I have ever met. She was born in Ohio as a farm girl. Helen a consumer educator, environmental proponent, and a horticulturist.

Peggy met Helen while recruiting volunteers for the Hospice Corps of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Helen saw an ad in the local newspapers and called Peggy. They became immediate friends. The would meet and discuss ideas about the relationship of religion and hospice. They remained friends for over 20 overs. Helen, our family, and the community were devastated by the loss of Peggy on June 22, 2008.

When we visited Helen, she would demonstrate how to plant, what to plant, and what was new in horticulture. She encouraged her friends to beautify their homes and community. Her educational background was vast. I implemeted many of her educational methods while teaching at Brookdale Community College. Helen would share her knowledge of consumer education and lesson plans.

We talked about our families and how their influcence impacted our lives. Helen you are remarkable, powerful but humble human being. God Bless You, Helen Albin. We all want to emulate you.

Peggy Najar, Hospice worker and community servant

2008-09-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Peggy Najar was the Hospice Co-Director of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey. They were located at St. Marthas Church on Herberstville Rd. in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The training for the Hospice corp was located at Sacred Heart Church in Bay Head.

Peggy would match her clients with her volunteers. She received a request to assist the first pediatric AIDS case from Lakewood,New Jersey. Peggy thought it was best if she took the case. The time was during the l980' and there was an AIDS scare. Everyone was frightened. Questions were asked about how protect yourself from this new plague and disease. This particular child was a hemophiliac and had received bad blood. During those early blood detection was still in its infancy.

When we arrived at David's house, the medical staff were in what looked like space suits. I asked Peggy if we should be concerned, and her reply was God will take care of us. We introducted ourselves to the family. She took care of David and I made friends with brother Jesse. We would meet with them often and try to give comfort and support. David a died a while later. We sat Shiva; Peggy bought kosher sandwiches, and cried.

My wife is my hero. She died on June 22, 2008. May God Bless Her and may she rest in peace. John Najar

Cole to the Rescue

2008-09-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, September 5, 2008, our Grandson Cole John Devlin came to the rescue of several young children. It seems that after school the bus driver left Cole's younger classmates off the bus, but not near their home.

Cole protested and asked the bus driver to take the children home. The bus driver gave Cole a no answer. Cole told the bus driver he was going to tell his parents and that they would tell her boss.

After the bus left Cole took each child by the hand and led them home. The parents of the children were very much upset, but grateful for Cole's heroic actions.

Less One

2008-09-09T18:50:00.000-07:00

Contentment had always been achieved alone
With soft music, and perhaps a book
that transformed her into a
vixen, heiress, or perhaps a tramp.

When he left, contentment diminished
Routines followed by him every night
Became hers. Rituals that had annoyed her
In the past were hers to own.

Lights out, nightlights on
Appliances pulled from sockets.
Shades drawn, doors locked, chains on,
Survey the house, make all secure.

Now, books or music are no comfort.
Returning to an empty bed, it is cold.
She snuggles down to catch his
Fast fading scent on the pillow

It is not enough.

Portrait of a Hospice AID's Family

2008-09-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have been working in the hospice field since 1891. The last hospice case I handled involved a child with AIDs. Normally as a director , I matched families with a volunteer, but since this was our first AIDs case, I wanted to get know this family personally.

The family lived in a small center hall colonial in a quiet town in Ocean County. I never saw the father. He came home from work and hid in the bedroom upstairs. He was not able to watch his son die. There was a youngster who was desperate for attention. Jesse was cut-up. The parents had their hands full.

David was eight years old when I met him. He lay on the couch in the dining room, so he could be near the family. Machines puffed away: one for breathing, one for suctioning. His joints were swollen and his elbows looked like a huge boxing glove. Around David's hand a white athletic sock was swathed and looked like a huge boxing glove. I bought him a hand puppet but he soon needed his "glove" again.

I read stories and helped Talia in their kitchen. I was David's waitress. We ate falafels together. We laughed and Talia danced and sang "David Star of Israel." David would laugh and say. "No sing! No Sing!"

And then he died

I sat Shiva with Talia and Grandma, I bought a try of Kosher sandwiches. I lit a stove for tea and we laughed and cried together.

I will never forget David and his family. After some time has passed, I wrote the following Memorial.

Cause of death: A.I.D.S Age of Patient: 8.

He doesn't play with toys anymore
The closest he comes to a toy is the
Hugh athletic sock wrapped around his
Tiny hand like a boxing glove
It prevents him from digging
His fingernails in the flesh

He hardly ever talks anymore
Too busy trying to breathe
He hardly ever moves anymore
Too weary try to die
Mother's always at his side
Can't leave 'til it is over.

Do A Good Deed to Honor the Life of Peggy Najar

2008-08-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

If you choose to do a good deed, please leave a comment to describe the good deed.

You may also send an e-mail to JohnNajar_Yahoo.com if you wish.