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“There will come a time when you will age like others, though far more slowly, and into a condition infinitely nobler; at eighty you may still climb to the pass with a young man’s gait …” An excerpt from Lost Horizon by James Hilton. The hardcover edition was published in 1933 by William Morrow and Company. The first softcover Perennial Book Edition was published in 2004 by HarperCollins.
My mother-in-law, Tina Alessi, is celebrating her 80th birthday tomorrow. Unfortunately, I will not be there to celebrate it with her, but I wanted to pass along my special wishes in my blog tonight.
She was born in Italy. Her father was a shoemaker. I have mentioned, in the past, that he made and repaired footwear for those who lived in their small town, and all the surrounding villages in the southern part of the country. More often than not, he was paid in vegetables and, at times, even with a chicken or two. It’s hard to imagine that kind of life today, in our land of plenty.
She moved to Canada in the early 1950s, met and married my father-in-law, Nick. My in-laws have celebrated 54 years of marriage. That in itself is quite an accomplishment. I remember the huge celebration we held in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. Through the years, they raised a family, and now have three grandchildren to dote over.
My mother-in-law has always been fond of her gardens. She has a green thumb like no other I know, except, perhaps, her daughter, who I was lucky enough to marry. Her gardens encompass almost their entire property, and every year they are filled with all kinds of vegetables. She is also an incredible chef in the kitchen. There is a sign in her kitchen that says that this is her domain, and it is there that family celebrations began with the savory aromas of meals she lovingly prepared. Tomorrow’s celebration is one I will miss, but we will be thinking of her on her very special day. My son has an important hockey game tomorrow, and he has already told me that he will be playing it for his “Nonna.”
“The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories. Those precious moments so much like pebbles on the beach that are plucked from the sand and placed in tiny boxes that lie undisturbed on tall shelves, until one day they spill out and time repeats itself, with joy and sweet sadness, in the child now an adult. Memories. Love’s best preservative.” Og Mandino from The Choice, published by Bantam.
My mother-in-law has filled the lives of all who know her with many happy memories. Happy Birthday Mom!!
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Don Jackson
