My Uncle Tony (Anthony Romano, on the left) and my father, (Michele Benito on the right) are talking to their Sister Mary in New Jersey. Uncle Tony and my father are fraternal twins, and they like to mess with her. They sound so much alike that she thought she was talking only to my father. Henry and Oliver thought this was hysterical, but my mother and I just rolled our eyes.
Fun fact: My father and Uncle Tony were born the fourth and fifth children in New York City to my grandmother Josephine who was a recent immigrant from southern Italy. She could neither read nor write in Italian or English, was a devout Catholic and retained her thick accent until the day she died at nearly ninety years old. Her surprise twins (she didn't know she was carrying two until she gave birth) were named after Benito Mussolini, a hero, at the time, to southern Italian peasants. Romano was Mussolini's youngest son. Evidently, anything bad in the world was quickly called communiste in my Noni's thick Italian accent. Bad actions were all those things that went against the norm: not going to mass, late garbage pick-up, etc. I have only fond memories of my grandmother, although I'm certain I would have been called communiste if she were alive.
Then I guess I am a communiste too. (Am I going to hell for saying that?)
ReplyDeleteWe shall be comrades in our communiste-ness!
ReplyDeleteThis has nothing to do with your post, but I love your fireplace.
ReplyDeleteOK so the list of our similarities is getting scary. My grandmother, grandfather and great grandmother, all were Albanian immigrants who passed through Ellis Island New York before settling in the Boston area. My grandmother (Nana) had 7 children and could not read, write or speak English (at first, she eventually learned from her children). My great grandmother (Little Nana)would climb trees (to prune them) and maintained a garden until her death at 91. She never learned to speak English and I never learned to speak Albanian since there are no classes available then or now (not even Rosetta Stone)But we somehow managed to always be close. All three of my relatives maintained their heavy accents. Some of my fondest memories as a kid was sitting in a living room during the holidays and listening to all the many relatives (great aunts, uncles, cousins etc) speaking in their native tongue. There was always alot of laughing and spirited converation. Tables were always overflowing with what seemed like hundreds of ethnic Albanian dishes that the women would prepare. I miss them all very much.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a Happy Thanksgiving dear Elizabeth! It is amazing to me how much we have in common!
This has nothing to do with your post either, but I miss sitting in your living room with fellow writers reading our pages to one another.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the wacky twins. I so wish my mom's twin was well enough to be here with us.
Hope you enjoy your visit!!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I do this to our parents. We'll pass the phone back and forth and pick up on the conversation...so much fun. Enjoy your time!
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved reading about your Nonni! My mom has only chosen her "grandmother" name with Max, as the rest of them have chosen for her. She chose Nonni.
Priceless memories and precious people around you! Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThere are worse things to be called!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me smile :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I love your grandmother. I can see her so clearly. Please tell me she baked delicious sugar-spun things.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, how hilarious, we think that you across the pond say "communist" of anything bad! (disclaimer: though I'm Italian, I'm not entirely familiar with southern Italians sayings)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful time with your family. Baci.