Mother’s Day with Mom

May 10, 2016

Today is Mother’s Day. I wanted to spend it with my mom. I decided to make it a picnic complete with wine.

After arriving, I took out my picnic blanket, my vino, an aperitivo (snack food, Italian style) flowers, and I sat down. It is such a sunny, beautiful day to be outside together.

I really wanted to talk to Mom. I wished her a Happy Mother’s Day. I told her I was sorry that I don’t visit as often as I should. Life is so hectic that sometimes I just don’t get across town to see her.

After a few sips of wine, I said:

  • Mom, you know we see things differently and have always fought a lot. I hope you understand that, for me, that was something I have needed to do to find myself and be myself. But I want you to know how thankful I am for the things that only you could give to me.
  • Thank you for believing in my intelligence. It was ok to be a Brainiac because you supported it.  That means a lot to me.
  • You taught me to cook Italian food. And that not measuring your ingredients is the way to go! For me that is creative and I love it.
  • You showed me how to work a room, be the life of the party. That has helped me be more social even though I am more introverted than extroverted like you.
  • You shared your dreams and disappointments with me. You trusted me with those things. This gave me the strength to share my own dreams, loves and disappointments. It also gave me the knowledge of just how important it is to follow your dreams.  Thank you for that.
  • I am sorry that I haven’t always been able to be forgiving. I am sorry that I could not be there for you as much as you wanted. I am sorry that I haven’t told you how much I love you as often  as I should have.  But hear me now, Mom.  I love you mom!

It was then that I felt my mom’s arms around me. It was then that the tears began to flow. Mom has never been a hugger. I know that seems strange for an Italian Mamma. But it is true.

In fact, I decided when I was about 30 years old that I would break the ice and start the hugging. One time she was sitting on a chair and laughing with her incredible, unforgettable laugh when I jumped unto her lap, wrapped my arms around her neck and said, “Love you Mom!” She laughed nervously. But she did hug me back.  Over the next year I had done this move several times and it got easier for Mom each time. Hugging her kids became easier.

Mom never had trouble hugging the little ones. Her grandchildren were always given love and hugs. All the grandchildren adored their Nonna, their Grandmother. She fed them treats, she danced with them in her arms and she laughed with them.

My mom, Muriel Mattia Rossi Ricci, passed away January 29,2003. I miss her and I just wanted to be with her today. I wanted to tell her about all her great-grandchildren that she has not been able to hold, especially my granddaughter.  I wanted to tell her what I am doing now—helping people discover their true Italian Soul and travel to Italy through my business, Take Me Home Italy. I wanted to let her know that as she made me promise her, we have kept the family together and Dad is doing well even though he misses you every single day.

But she knows all this. She is still here with us in our hearts. She is watching over us all. Every holiday she is there at the table, and we are cooking what she always served. I didn’t need to tell her what’s happening. She knows.

I did feel her arms around me. I did feel she was there. I could even hear her unforgettable laugh.

Before leaving her gravesite I poured a bit of wine into the ground, just for her. I asked her to greet Amelia, my Nonna, my grandmother, and Orphelia, my Bisnonna, my Great-grandmother, for me. They shaped me as much as my mother did. I miss them always as I miss my mother.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. I am glad that I was able to have a mother in my life for as long as I did.  I wish I had told her that more often. But she knows just the same.

Ciao for now!

Follow the Ciao For Now Blog!

Thank you for following! 
Ciao for Now!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

Follow the Ciao For Now Blog!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form