Hello, Peggy’s Corona Friends and Blog fans,
THIS IS NOT PEGGY! This is Richard and I have hijacked Peggy’s blog. I decided that we should do a blog to honor Peggy and share some love on Valentine’s day and recruited a few important people to help.
Being married to Peggy is quite an adventure. I can’t imagine how dull things could be if Peggy had not picked me up when I was hitchhiking to school way back in the day. As my mom would have said, it was the luckiest day of my life. And now I am the techie behind this blog and have the skills to hack in. I want to take a few moments to publicly praise my darling bride. I love her passion, her tenacity, her lust for life, her honesty, the fact she says whatever is on her mind, her kindness towards others, her generosity. While I may struggle to find the right words she can always tell me exactly how she feels, even when she is mad. If she does get mad she puts it all out there but then lets it go. What else can I say, so far so good! And we are so lucky to have two great kids and three (soon to be four) awesome grandkids.
Life Lessons from Peggy, a love note to mom on Valentine’s day.
If I were to ask people who know my mom, what they would think her life lessons to her kids would be, most people would say her lesson would be, “don’t take shit from anybody!” And they would be right, that is certainly something Peggy has instilled in both of her kids. Be tough, be proud, and don’t take shit from anybody. But one thing that Peggy has taught her kids above all else is to be kind and loving to people in need.
Growing up our house was a hotel for family and friends (even friends of friends) and different people who could use a little help. Pretty much every time someone writes her a sappy letter asking for help she leaps into action, after she’s done crying. She is overflowing with empathy for those in her life and many people might not know the true size of her heart. As a child I used to tease my mom for her propensity for crying at CVS commercials, but now as an adult I realize this is a reflection of her caring for others and it’s one of her greatest gifts to me, my sister and most importantly my Dad.
So today in celebration of love I ask that you send some of that love and appreciation back to Peggy via text, FB message, tweet or carrier pigeon. I promise you she’ll cry at every single message she reads.
-Max
Generous, Selfless
Determined and sensitive
Not wrong, Always Right
Haiku By HugH & Alana
If Being a Mom were easy, Dad would do it
This is the headline from one of my favorite cards I have ever received from Peggy, and that is saying a lot because she is a good card giver.
I always remember as a kid my Grandma Burns would proudly hang all her holiday cards from friends and family on her dining room door, but Peggy’s had a special place. I would always know where to look, open the door, and just inside I would find the salacious card even if, admittedly, I did not yet understand the adult content. Peggy continued to push the envelope, unabashedly sending them to her mother, knowing full well that card would be dutifully hung with the others even if more discreetly.
This is one of my favorite Peggy attributes; she is 100% authentic and pushes boundaries every day. She is smart, persistent, passionate, and determined. Not only does she embody all of these qualities, but she also helps bring them out in others through her words and actions and love notes. While her emails leave so much to be decoded, there is a literal job category for that; she has a special knack for knowing exactly what to say at exactly the right time (as long as it’s in analog). Her wisdom is often sought after advice or sometimes offered as an unsolicited and much needed, swift kick in the A-S-S. The world is a better place because Peggy always knows right from wrong and isn’t afraid to speak up and charge forward regardless of imaginary lines or societal structures that may have otherwise hindered the timid. She goes boldly and doesn’t just bring you along but inspires you to find your voice along the way. After the path has been cleared, she is always there for mentorship, support, or a little note in the mail to lift you when you need it the most.
Her cards will always be my favorite (plus I can’t understand those fucking emails either).
-Erica
Cindy Hale
I appreciate the enormous spirit of Peggy and seek it out. It is like a wonderful drug. Sometimes you don’t even know how much you need it until you have a big shot of it. Peggy, your ability to bring laughter and lightness when needed, your devout honesty to the situation and to those around you, the joie de vivre you carry with you and share generously with all of us is what continues to draw me to you as a friend I adore. Your humor, fierce protectiveness and just general ‘all in’ approach to any given day or time is adored. AND, your blog has been something I have looked forward to since the day you started. Part of the brighter side of the Pandemic. THANK YOU!! xo
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Cindy thanks for your kind words and support. I rant and I rave and wonder is anyone paying attention to this crazy lady. It just feels good.
Donna McKenna
This filled my heart to bursting, so I can’t even imagine what it has done to Peg. Great job, Rich. I love her too. Here’s a confession. Peggy appears almost nightly in my dreams. I don’t know why, but I think it’s because she is such a powerful spirit. Her realness is transcendent and undeniable. Her two kids captured her essence beautifully, and the grandchildren are scrumptious. Happy Valentine’s Day, Queen!
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Donna I think you are dreaming because I post late at night and last thing you read before going to bed. You are a formidable woman yourself and hope you are enjoying retirement.
Goldwin Dorothy
Peggy, Shall I say you are my favorite cousin! I love your humor , your tenacity, your love and caring for others , your contagious happinesss. I hit the jackpot my marrying Rob and gaining you♥️ .Never a dull moment when we are together. Can’t wait to be with you and your dear family soon. Hugs and Kisses.
Dorothy
Sarah T Paxton
This brought me to joyful, happy tears. We love ALL the Burns/Tubmans, and, Richard, you are a very special guy to do this.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to both of you, and a big … MMMMWWWWWAAAHHHH kiss to Peggy!!
XOXO – Sarah (and analog Andy, too)
Peggy
I am a lucky Peggy.
Ann McCracken
Wow, Rich, what an amazing tribute to Peggy, and you and Max and Erica have captured her essence so well in your wonderful comments.
My mind has been flooded with memories of Peggy ever since I read them earlier today. Her passion and lust for life were there when she was just six or seven months old and would throw herself wildly against the back of the couch cushions whenever the music at the beginning of the Howdy Doody show would come on. We would all rush into the living room to watch her. She was so small she could barely sit up on her own, but there she would be in the middle of the sofa bouncing back and forth as hard as she could. And her generosity…when I think of all the wonderful family parties you hosted in Concord, and the time you took our whole family out for Thanksgiving dinner at Salem Cross the year you sold the Game Stores. Not to mention Peggy being the one who originally organized those memorable Thanksgivings at Dominick’s which we all enjoyed all those years! You have both been an incredible contribution to all of us in our family. And those irreverent cards she would send that, as Erica said, Grandma would post on the cellar door for all to see and enjoy. And how she sent our mother a beautiful red satin bed shirt (probably from Victoria secret) when she was so sick and towards the end. I dressed her in it the day she asked me to call the priest and he came and blessed her for the last time the Saturday before Christmas.
More recent memories of how she drove down to Scituate with Judy when I was taking care of my friend, Kathy last August bringing a delicious lunch from Flour and brightened our day. How we could rant on about how we felt about or most former(thank god!) president!
So, thank you “Techie” for giving us this chance to think about how wonderful Peggy is and how much we love her. I am so glad you came along little sister. You are unique! I love you.
Annie
Miss Peggy
Oh Sister you are the best!!!
Mary Frye
Happy Valentine’s Day, fabulous Peggy! You are one in a million and one of my favorite take always from the furniture business. I’m glad our paths crossed because your friendship has enriched my life in ways I can’t even count! 😘
Terri
Richard truer words could not be spoken! You nailed it. Peggy miss you and hopefully we will see you soon for a cocktail in HP or Boston
Terri
Miss Peggy
Miss you as well who would ever thought we would all miss HP?
Miss Peggy
Mary you are so sweet and just miss seeing everyone and hope our paths will cross again real soon. Sugar, Fire and lightning!!! although I will confess I ahaven’t done a good job.
Kate
Hi Peggy-I agree with everything that Richard said-I know I am late to the game when it comes to knowing you BUT when I needed to be brought into a new group of friends you were there. You were both accepting and exhilarating – Being part of Don’s friends meant the world to me-Thank you and Happy Valentine’s day
Miss Peggy
Kate I am glad you feel that way and as always any friend of Don’s is a friend of mine. I am happy you guys found each other. love you.
Rebecca RGH
Pegs ! Miss Peggy ! You are truly one of a kind ! Caring, funny, persistent, intelligent, and kind. So glad to know you and the whole Tubman clan !
Miss Peggy
Rebecca Thanks so much and not sure about the intelligent part?
David
This may be the best thing I’ve read on FB in a long time . It truly captures the character that makes Peggy the person she is … but more importantly her profound influence on the great family she and Richard created and the impact she has made in all the lives she touches. I know I’m proud to call her a friend and it’s comforting to know that if I needed to call her. … for anything…. she would be there.
God. I hate her
Just kidding … 💌
Miss Peggy
David I am thrilled that I can count you as my friend and thanks so much. love you, peggy