A Prelude: Audrey "Nansy" Maggio died at the Age of 89 from Stage IV cancer on June 12, 2014 at 4:25am. It was a hard time for my fiance's very large family. But not only that, it gave me a lot to think about as well.
At the funeral... Patrick, my fiance's uncle said the words: "Good-bye Mom... say hi to Dad for us." It tore everyone apart. Even me.
I decided to dedicate a memorial Poinsettia for her for Christmas. This is my letter to her... 6 months later.
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Nansy,
I hope you are doing well up there in Heaven with the rest of the angels, archangels, and your husband Salvatore. We sang Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful... Silent Night... And all I could do was smile because it is Christmas.
I can happily say the family is doing extremely well. They've been going along their way ever since you left to meet with God our creator and the chorus of angels amongst him. You have no more pain, suffering, or anything. I'm sure you having some drinks at the bar, dancing with Salvatore, eating good meals, and having your constitutionals with God. I'm sure God has a great sense of humor. I hope Robin Williams is making you laugh up there too.
Nans, they say in the song: "O Holy Night," that the "weary world rejoices." The world does rejoice but it's so difficult to celebrate without you here. Everyone took your death very hard. It was like a nail driven through our hearts. I knew that 10 months was a very short time to have known you but... you gave me a lot to think about after your passing.
First, you told me that I need to go visit my grandparents a little more often. And I have been, which I hope is making everyone happy.
Second, you told me to take care of your granddaughter Joanna. Yep, I certainly have been. We're getting married on November 7th, 2015. We seriously wish you could be there but I know you are going to be watching us from up there saying: "She looks marvelous, doesn't she Sal...?"
Third, I learned that this family has 100% accepted me. There were times when I just didn't feel accepted but... I feel so accepted by your family that you grew to be good people.
I remember the first day I met you and you took an IMMEDIATE shine to me. I don't know what I did, but I was a smash hit right from the start.
I hope you don't mind but... I did get a Poinsettia for you for Christmas, put your name in the bulletin with a dedication from Joanna and I. I'm going to bring it to the family Christmas party in the afternoon.
When I was up singing the hallelujah chorus, I hope you heard me there. You could put all the choirs of the world together and it would be an extremely powerful sound that reaches the heavens above.
You should've seen all your great-grandchildren and your son-in-law do "The Night Before Christmas" A tradition that's been hanging with this fam for awhile. They also had their typical shrimp feast too.
The family is doing just fine and we're all happy it's Christmas. We all miss you.
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Nansy, in closing, we all love and miss you. Holidays and the beach will not be the same without you. I may have came full circle at the right moment but now, it just pains me that I won't be able to do it again.
You left a little part of you in everyone. They still talk about you and wish you were around. And like you, we know we all have to take our final bow and leave the Earth.
I promise that I am going to take care of Joanna. Her and I have so much to think about before Nov. 7, 2015. We only wish you were going to be there with us. But we know you and Sal will be there in spirit.
I'm sure the rest of your family will have something to say as well.
Merry Christmas and check in on us every now and again.
~ Joshua
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