Malana Bongiovanni:
CLASS OF 1966
St. Kevin SchoolClass of 1966
Flushing, NY
Malana's Story
I worked in Manhattan for 12 years after High School (went one year to a conservatory to become a music teacher - didn't last) - then moved to Commack working in Human Resources for several companies. Married my husband in 1973 -got divorced 8 months later, waited 7 years and married him again!! I was 17 years without children. During that time, I had a great time with my friends going out dancing and partying ALL THE TIME. No responsibilities no worries. By 45 I began to slow down. I adopted at 46 yrs old (my daughter was 4 1/2 yrs old) So I'm an old mom. Worked part time at Catholic Charities Drug and Alcohol Clinic since I was 40 yrs. old. (just started to work full time for 6 months) then I got sick - the past 3 years -got REAL sick and now am retired - completely. Loving every minute of motherhood - my daughter is now going on 16 and this has been the BEST part of my life - raising my daughter! I have a friend who is an elderly nun and I used to visit her often and I would say -'How my life has changed - I used to hang around in bars (that you could dance in only), now I hang around the convent" Every craft you could think of I have made with my daughter, Easter houses, gingerbgread cookies that "really do jump out of the oven". Haunted houses - I lived in Michaels craft store. I made soap and candles. Funny how life does change and how much you can love it.
Had a really fun life. I did alot of travelling, mostly to all the Caribbean on cruises. Been going to Aruba for 20 years and did alot of crazy, fun things like bungee jumping, white water rafting, jumping off bridges, jumping off 30 ft. cliffs,(seems I was always jumping off of something?) scuba dived to some extraordinary places, petting Sting Rays,(my daughter did this one too) dived with sharks, baracudas and just really was always on the go and experienced alot out of life that I wanted to. We had a speed boat and water skiied, snow skiied. I had a motorcycle for awhile until I sold it. I stunk on the motorcycle (standard gears) L...Expand for more
ife was good. For this I am eternally grateful. (Haven't gotten to Europe yet)I am just starting to have fun again! We have a nice life and my house and yard is kid friendly with a pool, trampoline, zip line, jacuzzi (all the fun kids stuff) and I do it all! My daughter is a true athelete - she excels in many sports and would prefer to play tennis or go to a gymnastics class, swim or take her dive lessons over anything. Wish I was like her at 16. I don't move like I used to (two rotator cuff injuries on both arms)But I can still do a back flip off the diving board. I've taught alot of my daughters friends how to swim and dive (back dive especially - they love that one) My house was always FULL of kids and I had parties for every single holiday,(adults & kids parties) so this was always the party house. The inside of my house is also kid friendly (but only one large room) I'm trying to get my strength back and am beginning to see myself start to heal (yes, I had lung cancer)Surprise, surprise - I smoked since I was 16 so by 54 I got it, or I should say, it got me! The parties I still enjoy but when it comes to decorating, I've accumulated soooo much stuff during the years, it gets harder and harder to put them all up. But I will always do it because my daughter is so sentimental about decorations and all the good memories. I sleep alot more than I ever have in my life , but that is part of my diseases, which followed the cancer -WHAT A CHALLENGE - I'd rather jump off the Brooklyn Bridge (the lowest part I could find) than go though cancer any day! The will to live is very strong and once you face mortality you find out how much you fight for your life! Life is different, but it sure is a wonderful thing!
Hope to hear about all the people I am beginning to remember. Can't wait to see pictures. I'll be putting more up. I am also on facebook - so friend request me! Does anybody have pictures from our reunion in the early 80's at St. Kevins? I don't think we ever got any pictures of that fabulous night!
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