I remember the first time I learned about death. I was really little, and in true Gina fashion I spent all day thinking about it and trying to wrap my head around it. I remember that night I couldnt fall asleep, and I remember it hit me like a ton of bricks; I realized that someday my Nonna would die and shed leave me in this life and I wouldnt have her here with me anymore. Then I cried... I cried so hard my dad came in to see what was wrong, so I told him. He laughed, because really it WAS random. But he told me that it wouldnt happen for a long long time and I shouldnt spend my time so upset about it, and he was right. Now the day is here-- the day I have been absolutely dreading since literally the minute I could understand what it meant to die. Today we lost the strongest, funniest, kindest, GREATEST member of my family. Someone who I love more than words can even begin to describe, one of the most important people in my entire life. My Nonna moved my fathers family through Sicily and France, and into the U.S.. She dropped everything when I was born, and took care of me (and Leedia) every day my parents worked, until I was 13 years old. She taught me so much, made me laugh all the time. Ill never forget dancing in the kitchen to her little radio on the counter top, playing her old tapes of Sicilian songs, the way she would teach me songs in Italian and have me perform them standing on the kitchen table when I was a little girl. The way she would sneak me chocolate and hide it so my parents wouldnt see (even at 24 years old), the jar of Nutella she always hid from my dad when he said I wasnt allowed to have any.. And the sandwich she would make me for lunch when he was gone with a big glob of it in the middle! Or the way shed grab me by the face and give me 100 kisses and call me Gioia Mia... the way she sounded when she said I love you in her thick accent. Nothing made her smile more than seeing her family happy and having a good time. Ill never forget that face. Her sense of humor will forever go unmatched, her selflessness unforgotten. I dont even know what to do with myself in a world without her, but I know shed want me to figure it out fast. Rest in the sweetest peace, my Nonna Pina. Give Nonno a big big kiss for me. I love you SO much and I wish I could still tell you that every single day. Ti amo per sempre, gioia mia.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 23:36:33 +0000
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