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22 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ВЕРЕСЕНЬ 2013 OUR CREATIVE READERS IRENA PYSKIR - BILAK Longtime Soyuzianka Irena Pyskir - Bilak was b orn in Kormarno, Ukraine . Her family i m- migrated first to Landeck, Austria , and then to Milwaukee, Wisconsin , where Ms. Pyskir was a c- tive i n Ukrainian theater, church, Ukrain i- an Saturday school , and a dancing group, and studied speech and e ducation at the Un iversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She received her Master of Arts Degree in Education from Northeastern Ill i- nois University and for decade s taught speech and drama, history, literature and rem ediation of reading in the p ublic junior high schools and in the Catholic school s ystem in Wisconsin and Ill i- nois, while at the same time raising a family. Pani Irena first joined the UNWLA at the age of 26, becoming a member of Branch 51 in Milwaukee and later of Branch 29 in Chicago. When her three sons were of preschool age, she t aught at the Ukrainian svitlychka “Sadochok kazok,” run by Branch 29 . For over 45 years, she has served her Branch in various capacities and has contributed a number of articles on education and other topics to Our Life . Even now, having retired and moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, Mrs. Pyskir - Bilak continues to be active in her Chicago Branch, and when health and w eather per mit , she does not mind driving an hour and a half to pa r- ticipate in the Branch's meetings. In recent years, Mrs. Pyskir - Bilak had spent much of her time taking care of her mother , longtime Branch 51 member Anna Pyskir, who lived to be 101. To mark her mother’ s 100th birth - day, pani Irena wrote a memoir, which she pu b- lished in book form and has since given to many relatives as well as good frie nds, interested in the “Ukrainian story . ” Her literary talents have led her to join the Kenosha Writer's Guild , and she has read some of the pieces written while being part of this group, including the poem below, on public radio. Mrs. Pyskir - Bilak is currently wor k- ing on a novel , which, of course, has a Ukr ainian them e . She has also been invited by t he Rotary Club of Kenosha and the club “University Women of Kenosha” to speak about her Ukrainian bac k- ground, as well as to give a presentation on Ukrainian art and music. The poem “Acceptance,” written by Irena Pyskir - Bilak during a personally challenging time, distills life to its essentials — both joyful and tra g- ic — and encourages all of us to focus on the fo r- mer, learn to accept the latter, and look into the future with hope. Olesia Wallo Acceptance The journey has been joyous, adventurous Life’s path a road wit h smiles, work, and sunshine; Combining cultures, languages, traditions An education with strong work ethic Good family wit h love and caring Three sons a blessing to behold Teaching a whole life’s calling: creative, musical, successful Traveling to dist ant shores, My birthplace, visiting family — a special treat Acceptance Along the way some stones and pebbles And then a storm, a chasm and strife: Commitments broken by life’s demands Employment none, addictions; even treason The mind a fragile organ under the weight of stress Material loss, depression, disappointment, Lifted by loving children, mother, family, friends and medication Acceptance Life of aloneness, prayer, experiences new Doing some good for others Retiring to care and give o f self to aging parent Relationships, hope and compassion A lifting of the spirit — life renewed Irena Pyskir - Bilak with her mother Anna Pyskir.
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