Make Them Proud

There's something about a special occasion that makes you miss your loved ones even more than you usually do.  My son graduates from high school today, and I find myself thinking of my Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents.  Wondering how they would feel if they were still here.  My son was able to meet them all except my Italian Grandparents, and two Uncles who died many, many years before he was born.

My mind goes back to the first time they all saw him.  He was just a baby.  My father's family is Italian, and babies are big with Italians.  They passed him around like he was a fine bottle of wine, with each person cooing and making goo goo noises at him, keeping a smile on his face the entire time. Aunt Angelina (Aunt Ange as we called her) just kissed on him and made such a face. She was great with babies, and always great with me when we went to see her.  Aunt Mary would say he looked like a DeMaria for sure, and always commented on what a big a guy he would be.  Aunt Rosie would tell me to keep the fridge packed, this kid was an eater.  (She must have seen the future) Uncle Joe told me he would be a ladies man for sure.  Uncle Jimmy lived close by, so he was able to see him quite a few times and would say, "What a little man" or "che un piccolo uomo" which my dad said meant the same.

He was able to meet his Great-Grandmother, my mom's mother, right after he was born.  She died a year later, and my mother's dad had died quite a few years before so my son never met him. My mom had a sister that died, Aunt Donna, and she made such a fuss over my son when he was a baby.  So cute to watch, and what great memories I have of that.

All these people will come to my mind as I watch Thomas walk across the stage tonight and receive his diploma.  They all played some part in who he has become today.  I see bits of them in him, and I know they'll be watching, and smiling and be able to see what a fine young man he has become.  As his life continues, they'll all be there.  Silently standing by, watching, praying, able to see that baby become a man.

I miss them all, so much, but I'll get to see them tonight, in the smile of a young man walking into the rest of his life and I'll be smiling right along with them.