A Remarkable Life

    As I stood outside the door of her town home, I was trying to decide whether to ring the doorbell or knock. I wasn’t sure who would be home at the time because I had made very good time getting to the Molinara. Were both my aunts going to be there? I hesitated and finally I decided to ring the bell. Zia Josepine came to the door and with a big smile and a surprised look in her eyes, the first words that she said to me were, “you remembered the way to Nona’s home”. Finding her home wasn’t a problem because I just let the excitement and anticipation of seeing her guide me. That is what her life and her spirit meant for those that were blessed enough to be a part of her story. It was her endless spirit, wisdom and love for others, that was a beacon in the sky for those she touched.

    Those few days that I was lucky enough to spend with her last summer, are memories that will last a lifetime. Twice a day, I would venture down to see her. Each morning, I would wait until my aunts had time to help her out of bed and into her chair that was near the back window where she would occasionally glance out to see what was going on. In her hands were her trusty rosary and a tattered book that she read over and over again. I looked at the cover, but I could understand the words. I can only imagine that it was a spiritual book that was her guide. But seeing her was not enough. I needed to listen to her speak and listen to her life’s grand journey. Her life was based on such values as respect for others, respect for oneself, hard work, compassion, love and kindness. She repeated to me these values and encouraged me to feel free to be the person that I am and to maintain these same values of respect, kindness and love. She has touched so many lives in so many distant places. This was a chance for me to absorb her wisdom and experiences in life and learn how these values would lead to happiness and content. She would always finish her “sermons” by warning me of certain people to be leery of. Those people who only look to take from you what you have worked so hard
for.

    It was all about the journey and I came to realize that she understood her journey was coming to an end and that she was on the last pages of the last chapter of her life. She would occasionally mention the gates of heaven and how she is waiting for them to open. But each day she would wake up and realize that the gates are still closed, so her journey continues. And one day, she will see them open and then it will be time to enter and begin a new journey. I am not saddened by her passing. For I feel blessed to have visited her and spend just a few precious moments with her. Even though she didn’t recognize me, I felt her kindness and compassion. She knew that I had come a long way to see her and she knew that it would be for the last time. On the evening before I left, I said good bye to her. I could see tears forming in her eyes as she thanked me for visiting with her. As I walked out of the room and into the hall way, I knew that this would be the last time that I see her.