Our holiday season was spent debriefing our 93 years young Italian grandmother/great grandmother. This year we had a house full at my Mother’s in Knoxville, Tennessee. My sister Kim, husband Don and  four of their six children, brother Tom, wife Carmen and two of their four children, brother Gary, wife Joan and daughter Amanda (24), along with myself, Amy and our one and only Michael (21). Michael constantly reminds us that he is our one and only. He always wanted a little brother or sister however it was never in the cards. His cousin Carolyn is the sister he never had, cousin David, who spent two years living with us during his college years is the brother, along with older brother JP, however that is a story for another day.   On several evening throughout the Christmas holiday Amanda, digital recorder and notepad in hand, had Granny name as many names, tell as many stories of family and friends, from her early childhood days. The sessions lasted well beyond the 1.5 hours of recording time which meant fast and furious note taking. All in all it was great to watch the younger generation take an interest in our family story, and record it for future generations. 

Of particular interest was a story on our Grandfather’s side of the family. His grandfather married and had eight children before his wife suddenly passed away, then he ended up marrying his deceased wife’s sister and had another ten children to her. That really got the family tree going. Our aunt Loretta brought over passenger ship records and family immigration papers from Ellis Island. An extensive family tree dating back to the seventeen hundreds was also handed down.

 When Granny wasn’t telling old stories she was lamenting the fact that all of her worldly possessions were sold off at an estate sale last August. When she had her hip replacement operation last May that ended her 30 plus years in the same 2 bedroom apartment, living alone. She moved in with Mother which meant she had to downsize drastically. Every time, anyone would mention needing something, Granny would pipe up and state that she used to have one that was like new and had been virtually given away at the sale because no one from the family needed one then. I was lucky enough to get her favorite French curio cabinet, however she let me know that I did not claim the matching desk much to her dismay. We are now on a hunt to see if we can locate the buyer of the matching desk after hearing how much keeping some of those pieces in the family meant to her and how nice the curio cabinet looks in our living room. From her comments it must have been extremely difficult for her not only to loss her independence but 95% of her worldly possession all within a few short months.  But one thing you could never take from her is her close knit family and those special moments with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren telling stories as if they happened yesterday rather than over a 93 year period. And one thing you will never be able to take from us is our Granny even when the day comes when all we have are years of joyful memories.  We Love You Granny, You Are The Best!!!!!!!