Monday, December 13, 2021
Mama's Eulogy
Thank you for being here this morning to celebrate the life of my grandmother Maria Stampone. In her 86 years on this earth, Mama gave so much to others and I thought it would be fitting to share just a few.
Mama gave us delicious homecooked food. It was nothing fussy or fancy, but it always hit the spot and was made with love. Her sagne a pezze was a sunday dinner staple. Her food filled our bellies and our souls.
Mama gave us love. She was our favorite babysitter. Running around the house, going in the garden, and having sleepovers under the covers are such fond memories I will always hold dear. Her hugs and kisses always made things feel right.
Mama gave us a sense of humor. So many one liners followed by a wink. Her laugh was infectious. Mama always had a smile on her face.
Even as over the past three years Mama has slowed down, she still found a way to enjoy the simple things in life. She just wanted our time and we were honored to give it to her. Even at the end during her hospital stay the way she would squeeze my hand as I held it let me know she was still there cherishing the time we had left.
In the times we're living it can be hard to know how to feel about the passing of an 86 year old woman. She lived a good life and her cup runneth over with the love of friends and family. But I will always want just one more though. One more walk around her neighborhood, one more trip to Sotto Casa, one more english muffin pizza, and one more klondike bar.
It would take at least 32 hours to recount the memories over 32 years I got to spend knowing Mama. But let me share her favorite story to tell about me. It was the time I wanted ice cream from Mr. Softee --- she ran inside to get money and I waited outside. Well Mr. Softee kept driving thinking this little boy was just waving hi and when Mama got back outside I was in tears. She said don't worry I've got ice cream inside. She's probably told that story 100 times with the last being the day after our wedding when she saw my father-in-law come back inside the apartment with an ice cream cone. She told the story complete with her hand wave impression. Well Doug took the opportunity and pounced, bolting out the door, and coming back with a vanilla cone with sprinkles. Mama's eyes lit up as she enjoyed that ice cream cone. Such a special memory.
Mama leaves behind a legacy that I am proud to carry forward. Her love and friendship knew no bounds. With her hands she made the world just a little bit better, a little bit kinder, and a little bit less hungry. Each stich of a seam, each rolled meatball, each pour of espresso, and each slice of her bundt cake provided for others
Looking back at these 5 weeks it is almost impossible to think that she was living on her own, that on the day she went to the hospital she had gotten herself dressed and made her bed. We do not know when God will call us home, all we can do is live a life to be proud of and be ready to rejoin God's flock.
One of Mama's favorite songs was "Amore Mio Non Piangere." For the non-Italian speakers, it means "My love don't cry". It was an Italian folk song about a woman toiling in the rice fields. One of the verses goes "Mamma, papa, non piangere" -- mom, dad, don't cry, "non sono piu mondina" --- I am no longer a worker in the fields, "son ritornata a casa" --- I am back home, "a far' la signorina" --- to be a young lady. After 86 years Mama "se sono consumata" and "ritornata a casa a far' la signorina"
As we send off our Mama with love to be reunited with her Husband Ralph, Father Domenico, and all her predeceased friends and family, I call upon each of us to find a way to continue the legacy of Maria Ciancetta Stampone as best as we can. The world needs more mamas these days. Io voglio bene mia nonna sempre a per sempre.
