Last Sunday marked one year since the world lost my sweet Nana. It was a day of mixed emotions to say the least. I am in awe at how fast a year has gone by, and felt both like a million things and nothing at all happened in that time frame. I spent most of the day at my childhood church, St Stephens, celebrating our priest, Father John's 50th anniversary of his ordination. I was baptized at St. Stephens by Father John, in the cafeteria because the church wasn't finished being built yet. I did all of my CCD, PREP and Confirmation classes there, and it has always been my home church, an open, faithful and loving community that I am proud to be a part of. The church itself is breathtaking, huge and open, with beautiful and special details. The music is second to none. I stood next to one of my best friends last year at this church as she married the love of her life, and it is a wonderful, wonderful place. Anyways, end ramble, back to the topic. We celebrated with a beautiful mass celebrating Fr John, with heartwarming stories, beautiful songs, and a gigantic church packed 100% to the brim with parishioners from near and very far, to gather and celebrate a wonderful man who is truly a servant of God, and who has been a comforting, loving and faithful presence for so many people.
Anyways, again off topic. Nana. It seemed fitting that this celebration occurred on the anniversary of her death, because she was the Godliest woman I have ever met. She went to church every day, prayed daily with her Italian prayer novena, which my grandpa now has taken over praying with every day since she left us, and she had the quietest, but most faithful spirit I have ever encountered. She was so gentle, so kind, so loving, quiet, caring, friendly and generous. So many things have reminded me of her over the past year, and I smile thinking of her, always. My sister told us a few weeks ago that she used to pinch Nana's skin, which was so pale and soft in her old age. I crack up laughing thinking about my sister gently pinching the skin on Nana's frail, soft arm and hands, and that she would think Emily was a nut case for doing this, but smiling and letting her do it anyway.
Being in the church on that sad day was comforting, my dad and I talked about her a little bit, how she would have loved to see the turnout of people, all celebrating someone who was so close to God, just like Nana was. It made me feel close to her, which was a nice reminder that she may be gone from the Earth, but never far from our hearts.
Nana, we miss you and love you always and forever.
