Remembering Audra Paszkowski
Audra
Paszkowski was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1968. She had no idea that she
would experience living in so many different places. Audra’s father was in the Air
Force, so they traveled a lot. When Audra was born her father was still in
Vietnam. Audra’s mother moved herself and her brother to Clanton Alabama where
they lived with her parents. Audra have lived in Fairbanks and Anchorage
Alaska, Great Falls Montana, Clearwater Florida, Dallas, NewBraunfels, San
Antonio, and Houston Texas just to name a few.
Audra attended Lone Star College where she
completed their Physical Therapist Assistant program and passed the Texas State
Board! Audra’s love for people combined with her passion for health and
wellness made it a perfect match. She said she wanted to help the aging and
elderly live a better quality life for themselves. People were always asking
her questions on diet, body pain, exercises and weight loss. No matter how busy
she was she would help answer all those questions. Audra’s passion for helping
people live a better live came straight from her heart of wanting more for that
person. As a friend I remember her helping me on many occasions and you could
feel her love and commitment to help you get better.
Audra’s
home was always open to anyone who wanted or needed. Whether it was just
stopping by to say hi, talk about your problems or come to a party, you felt
the warmth in her home. Her neighbors loved her for all the mouth watering
desserts she always baked and shared. Audra loved entertaining. Missing out on one of her parties meant you
missed out on an extremely memorable night. Audra had such a creative spirit
and always took her entertaining to the next level. She was THE hang out house
for children and adults.
Audra’s
family was the most important thing to her. Audra would always say “My children
are my life. I don’t know what I would do without them.” Audra passed along her
love for the outdoors, camping, fishing, and the beach to her children. When
her children were young and complained about walking somewhere or how hard life
was, Audra would always break out the story of living in Alaska, walking to
school in the dark, wind and knee high snow. She would remind them of the time
she got chased by a moose in Alaska and chased by a dog in Montana. No matter
what the complaint Audra had a story; you forgot your problem and were laughing
at hers. Audra shared the same passion with her grandchildren as she did with her
children. Audra was so involved with her grandchildren; it was as if they were
her own.
Audra had a bucket list and was bound
and determined to cross most of them off before she got too old to do them or
die. She started working on her list in her 30’s by loosing sixty-five pounds
and running her first full marathon of 26.1 miles in Walt Disney World. That
was an experience of a life time for her and her family. Audra, her family and
her mother, Nancy had never been to Walt Disney World. Audra flew her mother in
from Nashville to spend the week with them.
During their week there Nancy told Audra that going to Disney World was
her first vacation ever in her life. How special of a daughter to share this
experience with her mother. That is the kind of love Audra had in her heart.
Audra accomplished a lot on her list, zip lining in Costa Rica, Red Wood
Forest, Hiking the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and Niagara Falls just to
name a few. Audra loved exploring the USA. She was always in amazement when people
would say that there is so much more to see out of this country. Audra always
took her entire family on vacation. She could never image going on vacation without
her children. Audra told me once, “I would feel guilty if I didn’t bring my
children. I would truly be lost.” People would ask “What is your purpose?”
Audra would always say without hesitation “I was put on this earth to be a mom.
I feel I was meant to be a mother and I love it.”
Audra’s true desire was for her
children to have a better and greater life than she did. Audra enjoyed life and
would always try anything once. She always called herself goofy and was not
afraid of looking it. Audra even tried Zumba in her forty’s. Audra was not
coordinated at all. Audra was always one not to have everything planned to the
T, and she loved doing things on a whim. She is in a better place and feels
young again in heaven. Yes, I believe Audra is still goofy in heaven and will
be waiting on all of us. Remember all the smiles and laughs she put on our
faces and that will help us get through this time of grieving.
