I haven't written on my blog in quite sometime and I believe that it's because my life has calmed down some. I've found the greatest girl, my job is extremely busy and going really well and we've bought a house, plan on building a lanai (screened in porch for my non Floridian peeps) to watch college football on and keep the mosquitos out, for the most part. As I looked back on previous posts, unfortunately most of the more recent ones are about saying goodbye to a loved one. Today is going to be no different.
My mothers family is wonderful. She has such a great Italian family. Back when I was just a wee tot, the holidays were an event. My grandmother has a sister and three brothers. I wasn't lucky enough to be around to enjoy Uncle Sonny, but i'm extremely fortunate to have known and been loved by my late Uncle Nick, and can't say enough about my Uncle Rocco, that man is beyond words the best man in the world. Which brings me to my Aunt Elia, the matriarch of our family. When I say that you don't know love until you're love by Aunt Elia is an understatement. I cannot even put into words how much the woman loves her family. Just an extraordinary person. Uncle Nick has three children, two boys and a girl, Aunt Elia has three boys and my grandma had my mom. the seven of them were raised together and are all, in my mind, like siblings. Well today, my Aunt Elia lost one of her three boys, my mom lost one of her "brothers" and the world lost one of the finest individuals I knew. My cousin Michael. My cousin Michael and that's how I referred to him even though he is officially my mothers cousin, lived in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The east coast, between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, and has for as long as I can remember. The man was always there with a card for everything. When Rachael and I bought our house, the first piece of mail was from cousin Michael. Birthdays, holidays, a funny picture or article that made him think of me were always waiting for me. (Side note: the first text was from his brother cousin Bobby. Just me saying what good people they are)
I just heard from mother the other day that cousin Michael was planning a trip to the gulf coast to see our house and visit Uncle Rocco and me. I have a work trip in October which takes me to West Palm Beach and I was looking forward to finally getting to visit him.
Today my family lost a great man, one that, like his mother, has a huge heart and even bigger smile. Thank you for always being wonderful to me, cousin Michael. You will always be thought of so very fondly and I will miss greatly the notes, the occasional and extremely unnecessary twenty-thirty-forty bucks, whatever it was. Say hi to Aunt Dolly (my grandma) and Uncle Nick for me please!!! I will miss you tremendously. I can rest easy knowing your suffering is over. Rest in peace cousin Michael!!!
Love, Casey
