A Mother's Musings: Family Matters

You first met your Great grandparents (mummy's grandparents) back when you were six months old. You had your first holiday on the Gold Coast and we spent an enjoyable, albeit slightly crazy week with them. I'm sure if you met your Great grandmother 'Nonna' again, you wouldn't forget her. She'd loud and boisterous, she will feed you until you can eat no more, though I'm sure you wouldn't mind given your seemingly insatiable appetite. She also has a tendency to repeat things (I haven't figured out yet whether this is an old people trait or something specific to your nonna). She lives for food; parmigiana alla melanzane and spaghetti bolognese are two of her specialities. Your nonna has a big heart but a fearful respect of her husband, your Nonno, and a related need to keep things from him (or things about him from others). I don't know why this is, but I suspect it has something to do with the upbringing they had as children to Italian migrants. The older Nonna gets the more secretive she becomes.

Today I received a phone call from your Uncle Chris (my brother) to say that your Nonno had been rushed to hospital but Nonna didn't want anybody knowing. I love my grandparents to bits but I think I would be quite disappointed if anything happened to them and I didn't find out until it was too late. Maybe they don't want to be a burden on others. I don't know why they feel that way but I find it quite sad. In addition to being a private person your Nonno is also very stubborn. Like many his age he refuses to go to a doctor, preferring instead to wait until it is absolutely necessary before seeking medical assistance. He is the type of man that wears his pride on his sleeve. He refuses to sell his home (despite living from one fortnight to the next on a measly pension) just to save face. What would the neighbours think? How would he explain himself? He is also sensitive like your Nonna, a trait which, dare I say, has been passed down the line. He never forgets if somebody does something wrong by him and has been know to become physically sick from stress. Interestingly, he refuses to believe that anxiety is an actual medical condition. Oh dear!

Your Nonna and Nonno had hard but fulfilling working lives. Your great grandmother came from a well to do family but your great grandfather was not so lucky. He had to work hard (17hrs/day in a glass works) to make ends meet providing not only for his family but also taking on the responsibility of marrying off his sisters when his parents could no longer work. He is creative and skilled and designed and made shoes before eventually utilising his eye for detail to open a successful fruit and vegetable shop called Sam's Fruit Bowl in Sydney. His 'regulars' consisted of socialites and the rich and famous of the day. When your Nonna and Nonno retired they moved to the Gold Coast, bought a block of land on a canal system in Robina and built their pride and joy - their home.

Nowadays they keep much to themselves. They don't socialise much but continue to enjoy each others company. Although they can't afford it, your Nonna always sends me money for my birthday. The spoiling doesn't stop there. When you were born Nonna sent you SO MANY clothes. In fact, she sent 5 of the same sleep suit all in the one size. Unfortunately they were much too big for you at the time so you barely got any wear out of them. It's the thought that counts though and your Nonna is such a thoughtful person. She lives to please others, through her cooking and her warmth.

I hope you get to meet your great grandparents when you're old enough to appreciate them as I've no doubt their kindness and quirks will leave an impression on you.