For Auntie Silvana …
Outside of my Mum and Dad and my best friend Paul, Auntie Silvana has been involved my life the longest.
From my earliest age, I remember her always being there – whether that was arguing with my dad about politics or showing us around London on one of our frequent trips to visit her.
Despite facing many challenges in her life, Auntie Silvana – like her sister – was a fiercely independent woman. She never wanted to rely on someone else for help which is why she could be incredibly stubborn if she disagreed with something someone was trying to make her do. But when I think of her, the memories that flood my mind are of an incredibly kind, incredibly considerate, humble yet generous person.
She only ever wanted the best for others. She would encourage you every step of the way. And when you achieved something – however small – she would celebrate it with genuine happiness and celebration … never wanting or expecting anything in return.
There are so many things I am thankful to Auntie Silvana for. From giving me my first ever television to taking me to my first theatre show to helping my family when we needed it most.
She was a wonderful, kind, worldly and cultured lady and while I am devastated she has gone, there are 3 things I am grateful for.
1. She was able to continue living an independent life till the end. Given her eye problems, that’s testimony to her tenactity.
2. I am able to be here to let her know how much I loved her and how much my wife, Jill and my 4 year old little boy – Otis (who called her ‘Auntie Nana’) – did as well. I will forever be grateful she got to hold my son given my Mum sadly passed away before she could meet him in real life.
3. I am able to repesent my Mum and Dad – who are no longer here but would absolutely want to be if they were around – so they could share their love for her and say thank you for all you did.
Silvana, you were an amazing Auntie to me.
An amazing sister to my Mum.
And an amazing friend to my Dad.
Words will never be able to capture how much I thought of you and while the pain of your loss will last a long, long time … the memory of you will last far longer.
The World is a little less kind for your loss.
I’m happy you can be reunited with your family.
Say hi to Mum for me and thank you for everything.
Tanti Baci.
My Dearest Silvana …
So on Saturday, my Auntie Silvana passed away.
She was an incredibly kind and generous person but – like my Mum, who was her younger sister – she was also fiercely independent.
A few weeks ago she suffered an illness and sadly, while there were some positive signs, she ultimately succumbed to her ailments.
I am devastated for so many reasons.
The main one is obviously that she’s my Aunt.
She loved me and always wanted the best for me, Jill and Otis.
The second is she was incredibly kind to my family, especially Mum – who loved her so much.
During my early years, she was almost like a guardian angel to us when we encountered some tough times.
The final reason is that she is the last of her generation …
The last link to a group of wonderful people who defined so much of who I am.
While I am happy she is no longer in pain or suffering, I am so, so sad that she has gone.
Her loss will be felt for so long but her memory will last a lifetime.
Goodbye Auntie Silvana. Love you.
Rx
Filed under: Comment, Dad, Family, Love, Mum, Mum & Dad, Silvana
Outside of my Mum and Dad and my best friend Paul, Auntie Silvana has been involved my life the longest.
From my earliest age, I remember her always being there – whether that was arguing with my dad about politics or showing us around London on one of our frequent trips to visit her.
Despite facing many challenges in her life, Auntie Silvana – like her sister – was a fiercely independent woman. She never wanted to rely on someone else for help which is why she could be incredibly stubborn if she disagreed with something someone was trying to make her do. But when I think of her, the memories that flood my mind are of an incredibly kind, incredibly considerate, humble yet generous person.
She only ever wanted the best for others. She would encourage you every step of the way. And when you achieved something – however small – she would celebrate it with genuine happiness and celebration … never wanting or expecting anything in return.
There are so many things I am thankful to Auntie Silvana for. From giving me my first ever television to taking me to my first theatre show to helping my family when we needed it most.
She was a wonderful, kind, worldly and cultured lady and while I am devastated she has gone, there are 3 things I am grateful for.
1. She was able to continue living an independent life till the end. Given her eye problems, that’s testimony to her tenactity.
2. I am able to be here to let her know how much I loved her and how much my wife, Jill and my 4 year old little boy – Otis (who called her ‘Auntie Nana’) – did as well. I will forever be grateful she got to hold my son given my Mum sadly passed away before she could meet him in real life.
3. I am able to repesent my Mum and Dad – who are no longer here but would absolutely want to be if they were around – so they could share their love for her and say thank you for all you did.
Silvana, you were an amazing Auntie to me.
An amazing sister to my Mum.
And an amazing friend to my Dad.
Words will never be able to capture how much I thought of you and while the pain of your loss will last a long, long time … the memory of you will last far longer.
The World is a little less kind for your loss.
I’m happy you can be reunited with your family.
Say hi to Mum for me and thank you for everything.
Tanti Baci.