She's also an amazing watercolorist and has a love for flowers, landscapes, and gardening. When I usually call her we talk non-stop about art, flowers, the weather of course, food, stories of my Great Grandparent's Immigration from Italy, and the times on the farm in upstate New York during the depression. I actually have a copy of the hand-written recipe from my Great Grandma on how to make cheese. It goes like this, "first you milk the cow...." Seriously. Anyone have a cow I can borrow?
You see though, my grandma's health has deteriorated, and she decided this morning to stop her dialysis. She will pass away in 3 days. So as I stand outside Paradigm Skate Shop before an exciting art show begins, I weep as I tell her how much I love her, how she was a good mother, wife and Nona. That I will miss her so much, and to not be afraid. That she will see Grandpa again and feel much better. And we'd see each other again too.
I close my eyes and soak up the small voice I hear from the other end saying, "I know you love me. I'll miss you too. Thank you. I love you too".
(LtoR: Nona, Some random neighbor kid, Aunt Jenny RIP)
Watercolor of the farm. Holley, NY '04.
