This Albina factor goes to be fascinating.
I’ve had two Albinas in my life. My grandmother who was my Dad’s mom and Albina my cousin.
My cousin Albina died monday. She was 80. She was in a nursing residence in Utica for years and prior thereto lived in Utica her whole life. I’ve neither seen nor considered her in years. Take into accout, she died monday. Wednesday for some unknown cause she got here to thoughts and I mentioned her with a pal. I used to be unaware she had died. I mentioned her in depth. As soon as a few years in the past once I was round 40, I went by way of a foul time. She was there for me.
We grew up collectively. Initially, we each lived in my grandparent’s three story 6 condominium home within the Italian ghetto in Utica. We have been all Italians. I didn’t know for years there have been some other sort peoples.
Then my mother and father bought a two household residence in one other neighborhood. Albina and her household instantly moved in upstairs and lived there longer than I.
Ergo, there have been durations when Albina and I have been shut.
Thursday, I obtained two memos indicating Cousin Albina had died the earlier monday. Instantly I knew she had been there with me the day earlier than attempting to let me know she had moved on.
Then there’s our grandmother Albina. The most effective of the most effective. One of many most interesting individuals I’ve ever recognized. Liked her dearly. All of us did.
You’re going to assume I’m whacky, however my grandmother “appeared” to me twice after she died. Notice the lady had raised me in my early years whereas my mom labored. Grandma solely spoke Italian. By no means discovered English. I spoke Italian earlier than English. I’m ashamed to confess I’m able to communicate little Italian as we speak.
I had been sick. The medical doctors thought I had most cancers. The worst sort. Tons of exams. I might get the outcomes the following day. I woke from my sleep in the midst of the evening the night earlier than. My grandmother was strolling in entrance of my mattress. She had been lifeless for years. My residence was outdated, however beautiful. Radiator warmth. Giant radiators. I had coated them with wooden. It was summer time so that they weren’t working.
My grandmother sat on the radiator. It was a youthful model of her. She principally instructed me to fret not, all the things could be okay. Then she rose and disappeared.
The following day I obtained the medical reviews. No most cancers.
There was one other time some 20 years later when she appeared to me once more. The identical nighttime factor. I had an issue that was weighing on me. She stated fear not and light away.
I consider my grandmother appeared to me every time and I additional consider Albina was attempting to say one thing to me on wednesday.
Loopy, I’m not.
I need to stick with Albina for a second. Who would identify an individual Albina? What a wierd identify! By no means bumped into one other individual with it.
I at all times thought of it Italian, however by no means by no means even got here throughout an Italian with that identify apart from my grandmother and Albina.
Did just a little digging this morning. Albina is a female identify. Of Roman and Swedish origin. Derived from the Latin “albas.” Means “white” or “”shiny.”
The identify continues to be widespread in Europe. Particularly in Russia and Ukraine. A few different nations, additionally. There’s a Saint Albina in addition to a well-liked European singer as we speak by the identify of Albina. The identify was additionally widespread throughout early Christianity.
Even when I had recognized, I nonetheless wouldn’t have named any of my daughters Albina.
At 3 this afternoon, Syracuse and Boston Faculty meet in basketball. I had deliberate on watching the sport at Brady’s with Steve Thompson and Dan Reardon. Was going to name Fred Klein to hitch us. A Syracuse grad additionally.
It is not going to be.
For some cause each time I plan on watching a Syracuse sport from Brady’s, I wake with a foul again. No means might I sit and watch the sport as we speak.
Michael Halpern’s Celebration of Life will likely be held as we speak from 5 to eight pm on the Espresso Butler Amphitheater. The place will likely be packed.
I shut with Dry January. This month is put aside for individuals to not eat alcohol in any respect or scale back their consumption a bit. The objective: A more healthy you!
Get pleasure from your day!