Saturday, December 3, 2005
A wise, old man used to say ?That?s the way the cookie crumbles.? I think I heard him mutter it under his breath a time or two ? along with phrases like ?God bless me,? ?Salute,? and ?Be careful.? Although all were seemingly simple, those statements about existence were also quite profound, much like his own life.
Born in Calabria, Italy, in 1911, he said that his memories of Italy were those of a land marked with poverty. His fondest memory was when he crushed the grapes for wine with his bare feet.
Coming to America, he was surprised to find big, animal-like machines that he would learn were cars, and he would get to witness the transformation of cars as luxury items to everyday necessities. Not to mention watching the evolution of air travel, sending people to space, world wars, and the turn of the century.
After marrying and having a daughter, he watched as his family grew, spreading roots from San Marco Argentano, Calabria, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although he was predeceased by his daughter and wife, he was always surrounded by family members and taught by example that family is everything.
Although he was my great-grandfather, I never felt the distance that that title sometimes entails. Not only was he sharp as a tack even at the very end, he had an undying spirit and unparalleled spunk. In his eighties, he had one of his most bright ideas ? to go back to the motherland of Italy. I was fortunate enough to accompany him on that trip. I think that trip proved to be one of the many highlights of his life, as he got to see his land not one of poverty, but one of beauty. He took that pride back home with him and secretly wished to return again one day.
The last time I spoke with him, he told me that he felt like a very sick, old man, and yet, I never got the impression that he was giving up. He was certainly a man of great strength. He was sometimes quiet, oftentimes laughing, and always humble. I hope that death?s angel took him to all of those places he so wanted to visit before she took him to meet his maker. I have no intention of saying goodbye to Grandpa ? he would prefer so long. Although I?m sure he?s with family in heaven, he will be sadly missed by his family here on earth. I think we?re all very lucky to have known him and had him a part of our lives. Heaven is gaining wonderful man.
His great-granddaughter
Christine
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