Goodbye My Friend

Some of you may remember me talking about my good friend Angelo.  He's an older Italian gentleman who lived in my neighborhood who took me under his wing the minute I moved in 12 years ago.

Angelo was diagnosed with cancer in May.  The type of cancer he had was aggressive and brutal.  He didn't want any treatment.  He wanted to live each day he had left to the fullest. 

The day he got his results I went to visit.  I was worried.  The local priest was there when I got there and we all sat down.  Angelo is a character of sorts.  He makes his own Italian wine in his wine cellar and offered the priest and I a glass.  I know better. LOL  I've been the victim of that potent wine on more than one occasion.  It's not for sissies! LOL  The priest said sure and he and Angelo drank the wine.  Angelo offered him a second glass.  The priest said sure.  This is when I had to speak up.  I told him if he had the second glass I would be driving him home and I would be preparing the sermon for Mass! LOL  The priest declined and thanked me as he was already feeling the first glass. LOL  Angelo proceeded to tell him in his thick Italian accent that he really didn't like the priest's homilies.  He didn't like the jokes or the stories the priest shared.  I just looked @ him in shock!  Angelo told the priest since he had a glass of wine with him that maybe he could change his opinion just a little!  Angelo spoke the truth..no matter who it was. 

Angelo decided that he would take his whole family to Cancun for one final vacation.  They had a glorious time!  He knew this would be his final gift to them and he wanted it to be wonderful.  Mission accomplished!  His strength was good and he felt wonderful.

Things changed as soon as he got home.  His wife wanted him to try treatment.  She didn't want him to give up!  So for his family he took the treatment and that's when things went down hill fast.  He had no energy and felt horrible.  The results of the treatment showed the tumor had shrunk just a little but it had already spread.  He decided no more.

I saw my friend on Thursday.  He was weak and heavily medicated but when I spoke his eyes flew open and he chuckled.  He knew I was there!  His wife had the catholic channel on.  She said he wanted it on 24 hours a day.  I asked him if he wanted it on so he was good with God.  He chuckled.  I told him he could even watch the porno channel at this point and still be good with God.  I told his wife I don't even know what channel that is...she said 291!  I just looked at her.  I said Pina ...you know the porno channel?  She said again...291!  At this the nurse poked her head in the room laughing...Pina looked at us...I explained ...nude channel Pina... she gasped..she hadn't been listening to me...she thought I'd said what channel was the catholic channel.  Angelo was listening and erupted in laughter!

We hugged as I began to leave and I reminded him how much I loved him.  He told me he loved me and I promised I'd be back.  Well I couldn't fulfill that promise.  My good loving friend Angelo went to live with God on Friday and he 's up there sharing his Italian wine with the angels!  I'm sure there is a hangover or 2 floating around up there!

I'm not sure if I can explain just how much Angelo meant to me.  Angelo came to this country many years ago from Italy.  He was old school to say the least.  He worked hard and loved life!  Angelo meant the world to me. He called me Mari Ella. He was family.  He made me feel like I wasn't alone.  Like I wasn't without parents.  He was my biggest cheerleader!  I will miss him more than I can explain but I thank God that he brought this special man into my life.  He has been a blessing to me and my family.  I loved him with all my heart.

Angelo would have turned 79 years old soon and on his birthday you can be sure I will be celebrating with a good old glass of his Italian wine!