My Mom – Nanny is living in Texas now and while you don’t get to see her often I really hope you remember and cherish the times you do have. Nanny is a strong and hard working woman who always put her family before herself. All throughout my childhood I remember her working very hard for a department store called A&S. She would get up at 4:30am every day and start making lunches and preparing dinner before we event woke up. She would go to church every day and took care of feeding everyone breakfast before she got on a bus to head to work full time. She would drop me off at elementary school on the way and have the driver stop outside long enough to make sure I got inside before they pulled away. After a long day at work, she prepared dinner, cleaned the house and sat with us each night before bed. She never complained (not to me anyway) and she never took a day off. She is an excellent cook and very loving person. As people get older people view their family differently. I always still see a beautiful immaculately dressed woman who puts her families needs in front of her own. She will be 92 years old this December and i can’t wait to celebrate it with her. You turned 4 years old one month earlier. I know that being with you on her birthday would be the greatest part of her celebration. Unfortunately the Covid 19 Pandemic of 2020 is making that less possible. We cant fly to her and she needs to stay quarantined for her own health and safety. She loves you very much and despite not having much money, she is constantly sending you gifts and things in the mail. She wishes she could be here more but it’s hard for her. You have her strong Italian blood in your veins. Combined with that of your mothers Whos also very strong, smart and powerful, you are destined to do great things.
My Dad
Born Salvatore Robert Paratore he was the best father I could have asked for. He was strong and hard working, funny and loving. He made me respect the things I should he was always there with a hugs and smile when I needed it. He worked for years for Pan American Airlines and he loved planes. He was good at his job and respected and appreciated by his staff and coworkers. Neighbors and family all liked him and as I sit here today I can’t think of a single soul that didn’t love him. He was a smoker and fought cancer twice. The first time was in his bladder and it led to some difficulty for him. But he beat it. He didn’t stop the smoking though. I wish now I had done more to help him stop. When I was in college they found cancer in his lungs and the surgery left him unable to work anymore. He beat the cancer but was on oxygen for the remainder of his life. He tried not to let it stop him and he was still the life of the party. Always with a funny joke or a story. He had a big bright personality and I never saw him sad or down until the end. It was Father’s Day in June 2005 and we were all at the house. I have a great picture from that day. Bobby (that’s what your cousins called him) was surrounded with his children and grandchildren enjoying the afternoon. When the time came for me to drive home to Boston I could see he was very upset as I left the house. I had never seen him like that before. So I turned to go back in but Nanny said he would be ok and that I was coming back in two weeks so not to worry. I got in the car and left. He had a heart attack on July 3rd, one day before I was supposed to see him again. I know he knew how much I loved him but not going back into say it one last time will always be my greatest regret. Tell the people you love how you feel every chance you get. You’ll never regret saying it too much but you may regret not saying it enough. And with that. I love you to the moon and back.
