Year in Review: 2013

...welcome to photos taken in 2013, plus paintings,  and photographs of memorable moments with family that remain forever in spirit.

Matriachs to Me

Pictured here is my Grandma on my father's side, Maria, and my Grandmother on my mothers side, Nicolina.  The second photo of me at graduation shows also my mother and my Aunt Angela.

I've been so fortunate to have these wonderful women in my life, in my formative years, and in our family.  Not just one woman who nurtures, loves, and feeds a family - but 4 dynamos!  Right now, only one is viable.  The Grandmas have long past, living into their nineties, God Bless Them, and my mother with Alzheimers diagnosed in mid 90s.

These women were all so great to us.  First of all, my mother was perfect in many ways, including the unconditional love and support.  She raised 5 children with my Dad and did so in such a way that our family was quite happy in childhood.  She cooked gloriously.  And she kept house very much like the traditional homemaker in her day - providing all the comforts and luxury within our means.  She was also very good financially in stretching a dollar and saving for a rainy day.  Here is an example of one week of family dinners - every night a different meal - feeding a family of seven - and each week would be differenct - how did she do it?
Day one - eggplant parm from scratch
Day two - roasted chicken, garlic, and potatoes
Day three - broccoli and pasta with garlic and olive oil
Day four - meatloaf with veggies on the side
Day five - PIZZA- we would order out or Grandma would make her homemade pie at he house!
Day six - barbecue or fish fillets
Day seven - pasta - sometimes homemade by one of the Grandmas
Each Sunday we would get together with the cousins and have a larger family dinner together.
These Matriarchs really made our lives special and I like to honor them in the work that I do and the legacy we carry on for them...I see 3 young women in our family who are already the Matriarchs for the next generation and we are very lucky!

In Memorium: Diana

This painting restored by my sister near the time of my sister Diana's death... our Angel of the Sun.

John La Farge, 1835-1910

"Angel of the Sun" 
in the College of Staten Island Library

Reconnecting

Like most families, we have a long beautiful history - so reconnecting with family provides another moment to reconnect with that history and honor our ancestors in many ways.  I always feel our loved ones that are here and those that have passed before us are with us most especially on those days.  And the love that is present in our homes is partly because of this family connection.  It is wonderful to see the next generation enjoy the foundation that was built before them and see the promise of the future through them!

My Mother and Grandma are pictured here.

Our Matriarchs always provided us with good food and good wine and much love - they include our Grandmothers on all sides, our Mothers, our Aunts, and elder Cousins!

We are carrying on the tradition as our reunion featured a feast of  Neopolitan wood fired pizza, antipasto, tomato and cucumber salad, pasta salad, apple turnovers, cupcakes and cookies, eggs and bacon, roasted sausage and duck, barbecued hotdogs, hot peppers and potatoes, and fruit salad and abundant beverages bought by all.  As always, the women worked together to feed everyone and talked while we worked and the men tended the fire, moved furniture, and enjoyed men talk.  The kids helped quite a lot, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, our next generation will be pioneers in their own right ... They helped with pizza making, picking potatoes, and squeezed in a few tractor & pony rides!

Closing the Door

I have said Good-bye to childhood homes and memories, haphazardly - today may have been the last.  My Grandma's House, and my Uncle's, and Cousin's - one of our family gathering places - sold.  One of the last of our childhood homes.  Oh, how I have such vivid dreams of them still.

And each time you close the door on warm and loving memories, time spent - formative years -  get to gethers -  bittersweet journeys back in time - a trip closer to those you loved, those dearest in your lifetime, many no longer with us.  This journey begins and ends with a hug, a blown kiss of love and remembrance.

Such was my time today, hosted by my loving cousin - who is always there for family.  Thank you Tommy.

I will always remember with Love, our Childhood homes and loving Memories...

For Diana

Diana was someone everyone remembers with love- from her big brown eyes, great smile, to her fun personality - Diana was truly a friend to everyone.  She never needed to search a phone book for friends to call - everyone called her - vyng for her attention and social calendar.  Diana had a social life that would tire the most hardy of us.  Okay, I am her sister, and yes -  I am telling you the truth!

I've never written about my loved ones that have passed before me - except in journals - but I would like to begin to tell the stories that have passed between these people and myself - in Memorium.  I have only just begun.  I can only tell these stories from my perspective - so, forgive me for not remembering all the details so well.

To Love is to Nurture

I learned about nurturing from my Mom and Dad and extended family. So many things which I will post here as they come to me. My mother was unconditional energetic and with enthusiasm that she nurtured those around her. Everyone loved her. And I am speaking in the past tense although she is alive - she is aged and stricken with Alzheimers in late stages now - and my sister is nurturing her with the same unconditional energetic and enthusiasm anyone will ever hope to have.

For Diana, who loved elvis music, one of the most beautiful women

In Memory of Our Brother, Anthony