I want to mention that for the past year my mother labored daily for my grandmother, providing care that befitted a queen, rendered by the most loyal of servants. She was constantly assisted by my Aunt Toni, her husband Nic, and my Uncle Charles. Julia passed away last Thursday. She died exactly as she lived, with dignity, peacefully and with grace. My Uncle Charles was by her side. Thank you Nic, Aunt Toni, Uncle Charles and Mom.
My personal experience of my grandmother is closely tied to my experiences of my grandfather and their home, as well as the people and things around them. It seems as if most of those people are here today. These memories are mostly of my younger days, the impressionable years. As you will see, I feel very thankful and appreciative of my experiences, which I was so very privileged to enjoy.
That home was the greatest playground and school ever built. The people and things in it were inspirational and fun. Inside/outside, upstairs/downstairs it was a sensory utopia always teaching, encouraging and stimulating the imagination.
It came ready made with an aunt and uncle whom were the most fun friends I had. There were always old friends and family around. They seemed to always be cooking the best foods, drinking, eating, talking in Italian after dinner, teaching, or doing something they loved to do.
The things inside the house were as fun and interesting as the people. There were gizmos, gadgets, gimmicks and inventions, as grandpa would call them. Things that boys love, like globes, maps, compasses, magnifying glasses, flashlights, thermometers, cameras, and transistor radios. There were things that my family played with, as they taught me interesting, useful and fun hobbies and games. There were walls full of horseback riding ribbons and trophies, a photography developing lab with black and white photos everywhere, scuba diving equipment, a huge fish tank and a huge electric toy railroad. There was a grandfather clock and the omnipresent electric organ.
In the back yard was Big Bertha, grandpa’s enormous ham antennae. Grandpa would bring the world into the house and I heard that Uncle Charles climbed that huge antennae. There were birthday parties with horseback riding and swimming all day. There were secret rooms, a barn, a cottage, and a laundry shoot. There were cats, dogs, horses, goldfish, and goats – Ho-Hum and Oh-no. I will never forget the pony Dawn, the German Shepards – Suzie and Gretchen, and the biggest horse – Fab.
In that home I learned scrabble, card tricks and monopoly. My Uncle Charles taught me chess. My fondest memories were of riding with my grandfather on the tractor he built – it looked like it was from Star Wars; the sound of his AM radio playing by his bedside and the door where they recorded everyone’s height as we grew older. We even visited my grandparents in Florida
Throughout all, my grandmother managed all the holidays and birthdays and the house and people seemingly effortlessly. She was a wonderful, intelligent, and loyal sister, wife, mother and grandmother, never complaining, always supportive.
Imagine knowing someone for so many years and your fondest memory is of often watching As the World Turns and Let’s Make a Deal while sipping a tall glass of 7-up over crushed ice.
As you can see I had a happy childhood, rich with learning, stimulation, socialization and fun. I owe a lot of thanks to my grandmother. She was a true daughter of god – no wonder she was born on Christmas Day.
She taught through her actions and results. She was serene, steady, always giving and always present for any need. She had class and quality. It was never what she said, it was that she was never wanting, complaining or sick. She never said a bad word about anyone or anything.
Towards her end we rallied around her. She gave us meaning and a common connection. She gave to all until her death.
On Sunday Morning I was at home in Colorado Rocky Mountains to check the weather. The sun was rising from over the house and just lighting the back yard and the horse pasture, it was reflecting off of the snow capped mountain peaks. Just then four morning doves rose from the barn and took flight to the north. But one dove left the others and headed due west towards the mountains. I watched that dove for a few minutes as it keep a straight and level flight until it disappeared into the white snow of a beautiful part of the mountain.
To me that was a sign from my grandmother telling me that she left and won’t be coming back. It inspired me to write a poem about her. I will read it now. It is called Morning Breeze and in it she is the morning breeze.
Morning Breeze: A Eulogy to my Grandmother, Julia K. Ercolino
I felt a familiar morning breeze Easing through a low lying pasture; It comes and goes everyday For many many a past year. Sure as the chirping sparrow, I know it will be coming back tomorrow. Blessing in a new day Seeing the fog on its way Mopping up the wet dew Bidding the night’s sky adieu Refreshing the lungs of those whom it graces Putting smiles upon their faces Always light, never cold Fresh and crisp, and seldom bold Yesterday’s weather is now long forgotten Tomorrow’s cares have yet to be gotten. | I knew a familiar morning breeze Easing through a low lying pasture; It came and went everyday Letting all things settle where they may. As last it has tired of the sorrow, I know it won’t be coming back tomorrow. But, if in the morning I should cry Without that breeze to dry my eye I will listen to the trees And in the distance hear that breeze Then, in the future when its right I will meet that breeze in the night Always light, never cold She was fresh and crisp, and seldom bold Thank you morning breeze, for your kindness, caring and love You were as loyal and graceful as the morning dove. |
