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He lived a life that certainly was full. For someone who was born before the turn of 20th. Century, it is unusual to survive to 90 years of age.
He saw two World Wars. He served in the World War I and became a refugee during the World War II. In Latvia where he was born, he was a prosperous businessman whose wife was a schoolteacher.
The owner of a local Dairy, his wife and he raise twin son, Olgerts and Richard. Both of the sons served in United States Army. Mr. Paulis Kubulins was a man who always stood tall even in the evening of his life. He was my late sister Vera's' father-in-law.
Through all the tragedies of his life, he maintained poise and decorum. In U.S.A., his beloved adopted country, without complaint he labored in a factory. While his wife worked as a custodian. Paulis and his lovely wife Olga raised two wonderful sons with belief in God. Family values and work ethic. They instilled the same value into their grandchildren.
When he retired besides helping their children's families, his greatest joy and accomplishment was walking two of his grandsons (Aldis and Vilnis) to the bus stop and meeting them after school often accompanied by his wife, who was another example of good breading.
What a privilege for young boys to grow up in such caring atmosphere. The grandkids likewise were taught respect for themselves, other people and nature. All of their grandchildren saw their grandparents tending to their small garden. The grandparents also raised a few rabbits after putting in a full day's work.
Their grandchildren were taught to respect their parents birth land Latvia, its language and customs, but above all, they were thought about God and His Grace.
When God called Paulis Kubulins home, he joined his son Richard. A heart attack had claimed Richard in prime of his life. One of the tall standing Pallbearers was Richards father Paulis Kubulins. When I attended his funeral, one of Frank Sinatra's ballads was running through my head.
My Way
I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now as tears subside.
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh not me,
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend I'll say it clear,
I'll state my case of which I am certain.
And now the end is near;
Yes, there were times. I'm sure you knew,
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all and stood tall;
And did it my way.
I've lived a life that's full,
I've traveled each and every highway;
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
For what is a man?
If not himself- Than he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
Let record show I took the blows
And did it my way.
Yes, it was my way.
What a life! What an example of human endurance. This ballad puts it into perspective.