Thursday, February 22, 2024
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Nonna,
Although I am sad you have left us, I couldn’t be happier about the way it unfolded. What a gift for you to leave us peacefully and gracefully after such a full accomplished life. This is a funeral in your honor, yes, but to me it is a true celebration of your life.
Your accomplishments are numerous and I think the most important one was successfully immigrating to Canada. You established roots that allowed your progeny to thrive and live a better life than what was being offered to them in Italy. Their offsprings are very well integrated in the community and this was all possible thanks to both your and Nonno’s courage and determination. Without you and Nonno committing to this hard journey, neither I, my brothers or most of our cousins would be here today. I am very grateful for your efforts.
One of the first memories I have of you was having breakfast at your place on Fellows road after an overnight sleepover when you and Nonno were babysitting us. I was probably 5 years old or so. I was seated in front of a cereal bowl with only milk left in it. I did not want to finish the milk. I remember you laughing and not making a big deal of it, but gently nudging me to finish it. You said “there are only two spoonfuls left”. I thought you were way wrong, to me there were at least 10 left. You gave me one spoonful. Then another. Then nothing was left. I could not believe it and thought you were a genius! You were a genius, that way of handling my fuss was absolutely genius.
And this memory is a testament to your predisposition as a person to my eye. A confident well-mannered loving individual. It was an absolute pleasure to visit and spend time with you every time I was in town for the last decade and a half. Funny, I visited you more often when I lived out of town than when I was living in town (shame on me, I know!), but the ritual was very enjoyable. You made me realize the value of just sitting down and catching up. No need for TV or any kind of distraction, just discuss everything and nothing. I must say our family is good at that and this is likely thanks to your family values that transpired through ours. And this is also probably why you thrived for so long during your lifetime (to my eye you thrived all the way to the end); quality interactions with your loved and not so loved ones without exaggerated quarreling or emotional swings. You were a true peacekeeper and I will try to keep emulating you throughout my lifetime.
Cara Nonna, grazie mille per la bella compagnia, tutti i gesti gentili, l’indimenticabile cibo delizioso e lo “Ginger ales”! Ti amo molto.
Dante
