 |
|
Josephine
Alessi Ciccia with
Her
new daughter-in-law
Jessie
on her wedding day
to
son Samuel Salvatore
|
There she was,
lying on a bed of white satin in a Franciscan robe, (third order, of course), and displayed a look of
seraphic and serene joy amidst flowers, friends and fancy cards. She was my
grandmother, née Josephine Alessi who invented the word “Charisma” before it ever became
popular in the seventies. She had a laugh that rocked the humble west side home
and spent many hours telling umpteen stories of her
escapades that somehow escaped Steinbeck, Grisham and.
Nora Roberts.
Later, in many of my many daring attempts to brighten life, take risks, and sometimes “go where angels fear to tread”, I
was chided with “You’re just like
your grandmother” -barbs, meant in
a derogatory tone,
to which I felt
completely proud. Better to be
called “wild and wacky” than “wimpy”. Her thirteen children I’m sure would agree.
Gutsy Grandma Josephine immigrated to the
US in 1904, and I’m sure was the instigator for the move. She boldly purchased a needed seven
bedroom old home with $5 down
and made sausages to sell
during the depression to keep her family fed. (while at the same time hemstitching vestments for all the priests in the parish. She sang lovely Italian songs and told me many stories of the saints,
the unique churches in Palermo and the many “rarely-known” promises of certain prayers to her favored saints. She prayed each day for one special
favor- that she would die on a Friday in the arms of a loved one.
Even the saints could not refuse such
great faith!
No comments:
Post a Comment