Dawn Giordano Garofalo
“On our last morning in Howell, we had a surprise interview with Dawn Giordano Garofalo, who was Rinpoche’s classmate. She was very sweet and warm, even though it was at such short notice, welcoming us into her lovely home. Jean Ai sharing Rinpoche’s biography with Dawn Dawn shared that Rinpoche”…from Sharon (Bio Team)
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Dawn lived two houses away from me on West 3rd Street in Howell, New Jersey over 35 years ago. I haven’t seen her in 35 years…But my TSEM RINPOCHE BIO RESEARCH TEAM met up with her last minute in her home. I contacted her on Facebook just recently and she graciously and immediately responded. She is a real nice girl now married with great family. Someone had posted our class pictures and I saw her and decided to message her. Glad I did.
When we were kids we use to play together with the other neighborhood kids till she moved away around the 3 grade..that was very sad. Her mother Mrs Giordano is a very nice lady I remember.
Dawn will be in my bio book as she shared her memories of our childhood. She has a great memory in fact. Thank you Dawn for seeing the Bio Team on such short notice…
Here I had the Bio team present her some nice gifts and I was told Dawn was very happy. I am very happy to hear this.
I may have not met you in decades, but you were not forgotten Dawn.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Facebook us very useful. From Facebook Rinpoche his connections with his old friends and relatives which he may not be able to, if there were no Computor and Facebook has not been created. The Bio group that went to U.S. has benefitted Rinpoche and Kechara in many ways. Rinpoche has now been able to reach his relatives and family which he thought he would not be able to find. Even childhood friends of 35 years like Dawn has contact with him again. With this connection Rinpoche may even be able to spread the dharma globally through teachings from his blog and may think of coming to Malaysia to visit.
Dawn’s interview was a brief one but one of my favourites for all the spontaneity and joy that came with it. She had wonderful memories of Rinpoche building her a doll’s house and making her dolls from corn husks; about Rinpoche’s kindness and care even as a child, towards all the other kids. When she talked about Rinpoche, she was filled with nothing but happiness and excitement, especially to reconnect to what seemed to be a most special part of her childhood.
It’s so heartwarming to know that Rinpoche had such lovely friends as he was growing up and brought many fun times and memories to him during what would have been quite a difficult childhood at times. It’s been an honour meeting people like Dawn and we are extremely humbled that these lovely friends have totally opened up their homes and hearts to share so much with us.
Love, the bio team
The work of TSEM RINPOCHE BIO RESEARCH TEAM is such an extraordinary and amazing way to connect us to Rinpoche and his life. Thank you so much for meeting with Rinpoche’s wonderful friends and all the excellent work you are doing!
I can’t remember where I read or heard about Rinpoche building doll houses for his classmate. I thought how considerate of him to already think of others welfare as a young child. Amazing!
Of everyone we got to interview, Dawn was one of the most memorable interviews for me. It wasn’t because she had plenty of memories (actually, she couldn’t remember much…and was highly apologetic about it!) but she was so receptive of us, I was rather taken aback because we interviewed her very last minute (we were about to leave New Jersey!). I’m glad we got to meet her, and experience a part of Rinpoche’s childhood through this very warm and open lady.