With love and profound respect.
On April 5th, Robert's father died, Roberto (Bob) J. Fiorito at age 92 leaving his wife Viola age 93. Tomorrow will be his funeral in Mt. Kisco, NY. Every weekend, Robert and I have been driving to Westchester to visit his parents to make the most of the time that they're still here. In the Filipino culture, the elders are king. And that couldn't have been more true in my family. The words of my grandparents were sacred. With their death, came the feeling of a lost connection to an infinite world of wisdom.
Every chance I got, I'd ask my grandparents questions like what's the one advice you could give me for my own life? Answers varied, but I knew it was my job to piece them all together. My grandfather would often say get married and my grandmother would say have children. My reply of course was I'll have children, but I just won't get married. So much for that.
I lost my grandparents many years ago. And so with Robert's parents, I felt like I had a second chance to be with mine again. Bob and Viola lived through the Great Depression, World Wars, Assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK, X, and life before the TV. Bob had a restaurant for 30 years in Newark before the riots. A time when Bamberger's symbolized a prospering town of Italian immigrants.
With such a full life like theirs, what were their answers? Well I never got to ask Bob for that one advice for my own life. I guess I was so wrapped up in the moment of just being with him, that I forgot to ask. Perhaps that's the answer. Moments are all we have. Bob made many requests to visit LITM, so eager to experience the restaurant scene again. When I saw him last, he made that request once more. I promised that as soon as the weather got better, I would make it my mission to make it happen. I'm sorry that never happened Bob. But I know you're here. With every great story told or laughter shared, you're in the midst fueling it on. I love you. Please send my love to my grandparents too.
An unsolicited advice did come my way one day. Viola, who suffers from Alzheimer's, miraculously said to me and Robert, "Keep everything in its place, enjoy what you have and you'll be happy." Sometimes the answers come when you're not looking.
Jelynne Jardiniano Fiorito
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How inspiring J! My thoughts and prays are with you and Robert.
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