I debated whether I should publish this post for a couple of weeks. I am ambivalent about sharing a personal event that has profoundly changed my life.

I have decided to share. I am choosing to not project a false impression that my life is about pretty pictures and delicious food. I also want to acknowledge and honor the memory of my sister Nina who was, and is still, so dear to me.

Nina and I have lived our lives together. She was my best friend, confidant and partner in crime. She loved life and was not ready to leave it. She loved travel, music, delicious food, beautiful clothes and our California home and lifestyle. Most of all, she loved our family and all that we represent.

Nina enriched my life in ways that I cannot describe. I would have been content to stay home and read a book. Nina inspired and compelled me (and when she was still with us, our Mother) to participate and enjoy life to the fullest degree. Before misfortune overtook us, we planned to retire together in Sicily to be with our extended family. I wish every day that she could be here with me.

The primary reason I am now in Sicily is because, due to a tragic accident and a protracted illness, we lost our beloved youngest sister Nina on December 30, 2023. We decided to ensure that we would be together by bringing Nina’s body to Sicily for burial.

Our extended family and our friends in the US supported us throughout Nina’s illness and death. Due to the unusual circumstance of taking Nina’s remains to Italy, we were not able to perform the customary rituals for burial in the United States. Delaying Nina’s burial was sad and distressing. I felt that I was denying her the dignity and respect that she deserved.

After three frustrating months, we were able to finally bring Nina back to the village where we were born. I hope she forgives me, because my ultimate desire was to bring Nina to Sicily with me. I was expecting to hold a quiet service with our immediate family.

Nina’s funeral mass was held in the church where our parents were married and where she was baptized.

It was a lovely service. The priest, Don Angelo, does not really know us. To familiarize himself, he researched the church records and found that Nina was baptized on March 19, St. Joseph’s Day. Nina’s funeral mass was celebrated on March 27. Don Angelo presented a thoughtful discussion about Baptism and the progression of life and death. I found it moving and comforting.

Our family participated in the Mass. Anna, my sister’s sister-in-law, presented the readings, my sister’s daughter-in-law, Caterina read the eulogy, our grand-nephew and Nina’s God-Son Salvatore, did double duty: he was the altar server and read the final prayer in Sicilian. (I previously posted the text of the prayer, “L’Urtimu Misteru” on this Blog on March 5, 2013.) The mass participants prayed along with him and applauded his effort. Finally, our little grand-niece, Giorgia distributed prayer cards to the Mass attendants. I am sure that Nina is pleased with everyone’s participation.

Our family left Sicily over 60 years ago, our father passed over 20 years ago. His generation is gone, we no longer have living aunts and uncles. Our connection is now with our cousins. They have seen us sporadically and we have grown up away from each other, but they showed their respect for our family by participating in Nina’s funeral mass. Family members who were not able to attend, have called or made personal visits to us to express their condolences. As a testament to our sister Rose and her family, who still live here, their neighbors, friends and colleagues participated.

Respect is still important here, it is natural to their way of life. It touched my heart that Nina’s life and legacy have been acknowledged and honored by our extended family and the local community.

I am now in Sicily, living the dream that Nina and I shared. It is bittersweet for me, I am happy to share this experience with my sister Rose and her family but feel the lack of Nina in my life every day and in every way.

A wise person in my life reminded me that I can continue to honor Nina’s spirit by living my life as she would have if she had the opportunity, to Love one another and to savor every minute. I am going to try, and I dedicate this Blog to my beloved sister knowing that she would have loved each and every experience.

Ti vogliu bene, Nina. Cu tuttu lu cori.