My Italian Grandma

[Marie5656]

My Nonna died when I was 5 years old, but I am told she was your typical Italian Grandma. Loved her kids, and cooking. All family gatherings were at her house, of course. I was told that after she gave birth to my uncle, at home of course, she was out side a couple hours later sweeping the front porch because she knew people would be coming to visit. She kept a garden, and had chickens and rabbits. My grandfather had a store across the street from where they lived, and she took care of the garden herself.
And yes, my dad and uncles have memories of trips out to the shed for a spanking. Here is a picture of her with all but one of her children. My eldest aunt died in her 20's from TB, leaving two daughters who my grandparents took in to raise. My dad is on the left end. The third man in from the left was my uncle Frank, the only one of the children who went on to college..he became a lawyer

 

[SeaBreeze]

Thanks for sharing that Marie, great old photo there of your family. I've known a few Italian grandmothers before and it's true, they love to cook and they love their family. One sweet lady I knew always had a delightful scent of good comfort food in her home, and she made all of her pasta from scratch.

 

[Marie5656]

One bit of sadness for our family. My uncle John, the man standing directly behind Nonna, was killed in his sleep at the age of 84 by a dumbwit who broke into his house looking for money. He did not find any. An odd psychic thing happened later in the day he died, before he was found. Both me and my dad, separately from each other both thought of him and thought we should invite him over to the house for a meal. He was a widower. Neither of us acted on it, and my uncle was not found for another day. We did not even know the other thought of him until after the funeral, when my dad brought up that he had thought of his brother, and felt guilty. I told him I had the same that, at almost the same moment.

 

[SeaBreeze]

So sorry to hear that Marie, my condolences, what a terrible way to lose his life. Funny that you mentioned the psychic experience that both you and your dad had, I believe it as a similar thing happened to my mother when my brother passed on.