Sandy Rossi R.I.P. April 23, 1944- April 17, 2011
This page is dedicated to my mother: Sandy Rossi. I know that everyone in this world says that they had a wonderful mother, but we really did. My mother was a devoted wife and mother. She got married at the early age of fifteen and had my brother Marion. Only two years later my mother had me. My mother was devoted and dedicated from the time that she was fifteen up until the day she died.
I remember walking into the house on Christmas Eve, every year, even when we were grown, the house smelled so delicious. The place was completely cleaned and decorated from one end to the other. Snow and glitter covered the windows and the fireplace mantle. There were always at least, two Nativity Scenes placed somewhere in the house, just a reminder to her kids why we were having Christmas. There was always a huge Christmas tree in the corner of the living room, decorated to the hills.
Christmas dinner was absolutely delicious. We usually always had ham for Christmas dinner and all the trimmings. All of us sitting around the table saying a small prayer in which, my dad, always recited.
After dinner we'd all gather around in the living room and Dad would read the passage from the Bible when and where Jesus was born. We'd talk about the three wisemen and the gifts that everyone had brought to Jesus to celebrate his birth. He'd tell us that's why we were getting these gifts that they were giving us was because of Jesus' birth.
Dad would proceed to grab a present and each of us would open our gifts, some from Santa and some from them. They were always the most perfect presents.
I remember one year when they didn't have any money and Mom made us gifts. She made my sister, Kathy and I each dolls. Kathy got the doll from Holland. She was a beautifully sewn doll that Mom had handmade. Her name was Katrina. She made me a doll from Japan. Her name was Mishi. She came complete with a Japanese dress and everything. Even after all of those bought gifts we got over the years, what are the only two gifts we still have? Those little handmade dolls are Mama made for us.
Every year under the tree, there would be a Life Saver Candy Box from my Mom (and Dad). We would tease Mom about those Life Saver Boxes every year. She told me, "You guys tease me about these every year but I love doing it. It signifies all of the lives in our family. We started out with only six Life Saver Boxes, we now have nineteen (at the time she told me). We haven't lost a Life Saver Box, yet." Today we went to Walmart and I bought myself my own Life Saver Box~In memory of my mother~ Sandy Rossi. I love you Mama and I miss you. Every day.
Every Time I Close My Eyes
I hear you
during the morning hours singing with your music
when you get ready to go to work
I hear you cooking dinner in the kitchen every night
after you get home from the office.
I hear you saying "Love your grandchildren" unconditionally
because they are a part of you and because you are a part of me.
I hear you every time I close my eyes.
I smell you
when someone wears the perfume you liked so much
or the sweet smell of the bath spray you loved
to put on right after your bath
I smell you when I stop to smell the beautiful roses
every day when I go for my daily walk because I know how much you loved them.
I smell you when I hold your blanket close to me when I feel
like cuddling.
I smell you every time I close my eyes.
I see you
every Christmas eve hustling around to make it
so special for every one in the family.
Sitting on your bed doing puzzles or crocheting
hats and scarves for the homeless people.
I see you every time I look into my children's faces and know that
a part of you is there.
I see you every time I close my eyes.
I miss you
Every time I take a breath.
Every time I blink my eyes.
Every move I make during the day.
And, every love I give my children and my grandchildren.
I miss you every time I close my eyes.
I hear you
during the morning hours singing with your music
when you get ready to go to work
I hear you cooking dinner in the kitchen every night
after you get home from the office.
I hear you saying "Love your grandchildren" unconditionally
because they are a part of you and because you are a part of me.
I hear you every time I close my eyes.
I smell you
when someone wears the perfume you liked so much
or the sweet smell of the bath spray you loved
to put on right after your bath
I smell you when I stop to smell the beautiful roses
every day when I go for my daily walk because I know how much you loved them.
I smell you when I hold your blanket close to me when I feel
like cuddling.
I smell you every time I close my eyes.
I see you
every Christmas eve hustling around to make it
so special for every one in the family.
Sitting on your bed doing puzzles or crocheting
hats and scarves for the homeless people.
I see you every time I look into my children's faces and know that
a part of you is there.
I see you every time I close my eyes.
I miss you
Every time I take a breath.
Every time I blink my eyes.
Every move I make during the day.
And, every love I give my children and my grandchildren.
I miss you every time I close my eyes.