Viva Italia (And Other Parts of My Heritage)

For the last 3 days I have been in the land of Lincoln...Southern Illinois. My mother's father's family is Italian. I am actually only one quarter Italian, but it is the part of my heritage with which I am most familiar. My great-grandparents were first generation Americans. Grandma and Pops Talluto (Lazzeri was the surname of my grandmother's first husband). There is a large Italian community in this area. I've been enjoying some of their fine salami and cheese.

There are many decisions to be made with my grandfather. And I say "with" because he is capable of being in our discussions and he NEEDS to be a participant. For the most part his medications have leveled out. He is resting and gaining strength at a nursing home. The same one he in which he rehabbed after his car accident four years ago. His appetite is a problem...he isn't hungry when lunch/dinner time arrives, so he wasn't eating, which in turn sent him into sugar problems with his insulin. There are other major hurdles we have to decide on, but they don't have to be done right now. The important thing is that he is recovering and resting. He seems a bit in the dumps, and I suppose I would be too.

My step-mother has been such a blessing. She is helping me to take one step at a time rather than taking on the entire situation in one week. Jeremy has been an invaluable source of help and advice and the calm voice that speaks a word of wisdom to my harried self. Eleanor has tolerated everything very well. She travels like a pro, that kid! She has discovered elbow macaroni and real mashed potatoes. Instant love. The extended family is having fun with her. My mom's sisters and my maternal grandma have been a great source of support and love, too.

We lost Jeremy's maternal grandmother this week. She was somewhat of an enigma to me. We had some good conversations together, and there was no doubt where she placed her trust. I'm glad to have known her in the short time I did. I do not feel sad for her, she was sick for an entire year. I do feel sad for Frances and Shirley. Burying parents is not easy at any age.

I'll return home on Wednesday. Things will continue to settle with grandpa, I'm certain of that. Laura will be here in the following weeks, and I'm watching the Southwest specials to come back myself. I'm off to dreamland for a few.