I wrote this piece while I was in NY in late December ’19 on a special trip to see my Mom. Special thanks to my beautiful, loving cousin Chris Dolce who made all of this possible.
We had just reunited a few months prior & she truly is a gift from God.
Here’s how I recounted a very special visit we made to see my Mom at the Golden Gate Nursing Home in Staten Island…
“Pls raise your hand if you believe in Christmas miracles…
✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼 ✋🏼
I’m in NY, visiting my Mom in the nursing home with my sister Rosemarie Leto & our cousin, Chris. We were joined by my nephew/Godson, Joey & Christine Latuga Leto (Crissy), his wife.
My Mom is 91 y/o (now 92) & has been suffering terribly from dementia for the past few years.
Today, she was totally non-verbal. Didn’t say a word, nothing. In fact, she hadn’t spoken for a few months now.
She didn’t recognize nor acknowledge anyone.
It was really hard, so very difficult, on me. I haven’t been able to travel at all with my stupid issues & as such, haven’t seen her in ~5 years.
My Mom would stare at me with this “wanting” look. It appeared as if he recognized me, but was unable to speak.
We spent over an hour & a half with her in her room…then, it was time to go. We had come straight from JFK Airport & still hadda check into our hotel before meeting everyone for dinner.
We’re saying good-bye to my Mom so I get up & give her a kiss. “I love you, Mommy.”
“ARE YOU MY SON???”
OMG, the tears instantly started flowing from everyone’s eyes! She had not uttered a single sound before that!
We were absolutely stunned!!! Something truly miraculous had just occurred. Like I said, she hadn’t said anything in months, much less a complete, crystal-clear, coherent sentence!
We wheeled her out from her room & down the hallway, waiting for an aide to come & bring her into the game room.
Again, I kiss her & tell her that I love her.
“YOU ARE MY SON!!!”
We had just witnessed a true Christmas miracle! I had been an absolute mess before all of this, not really knowing exactly how to feel. As happy as I was to see my Mom, it was so hard to realize that she no longer remembered, or even, recognized me.
I WILL NOW ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS BELIEVE IN MIRACLES.
“Thank you, Baby Jesus, and a very Merry & Blessed Christmas to all…
…and to all, a good night!
Love you, Mommy! ❤️ 🤗 😘”
As always, thank you so much for listening!”
Posted in: Stranger Than Fiction
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