Saturday, February 7, 2009

In Loving Memory - Marcella Monica Petruzzi (1928-2009)

I lost my Mom, Marcella, this past Thursday morning, February 5.

My parents go to Florida each winter, from December to April. Dad is 81, and my mother turned 80 in October. I've always been happy that they both can get away from these often-rotten Western Pennsylvania winters, and this current one has been an especially cold and snowy one.

My father has had a few serious health problems over the past few years, but he's always bounced back and today is in pretty good health. My mother, on the other hand, has hardly had any health issues at all. But last week, she told Dad that she was beginning to feel very tired all the time, and had little energy. This from a woman who has been very active all her life - still golfing and swimming, playing bingo about every night. Concerned, Dad took her to see her Florida doctor, and she was entirely checked out. No problems found with the heart or anything else. He adjusted her medications, and she seemed better. But this past Wednesday, she was feeling tired again, and had to sit down after walking only 10 feet or so. So Dad made an appointment the following day (Thursday) to get her in to see the Doctor and try to figure out what might be wrong.

When she came down to breakfast Thursday, she told Dad she wasn't feeling well again, but was hungry. Dad made her breakfast, and was ready to take her to the hospital for her appointment. But she suddenly began to faint while in her chair. Dad grabbed her, and had to hold her up. Unable to reach his phone, he couldn't dial 911. He says she began to come out of it slightly and he went for his phone and started dialing. But then she began to fade again, looked Dad in the eyes, and she died in his arms.

The cause of death, they tell us, was a massive heart attack. She was gone before the paramedics got there. But thankfully, there was no pain, no suffering, no weeks in the hospital. Just a few days of the fatigue and difficulties. To think that my Mom would suffer at all would be too painful to me, so it was definitely a blessing that she didn't - so many do before the end comes. But she went quietly, peacefully, and in the arms of the man she spent the last 56 years with.

I know many of you have lost a parent, and no one knows how difficult it is until you do. You think of everything at this time - what your mother cooked, the little things she did for you, all the ways she took care of you. Few know this, but my sister and I are adopted - Mom couldn't have children of her own. My most treasured picture is one of my mother holding me as a 3-week old baby at the front door of St. Joseph's Home for Orphans in Erie, Pennsylvania as they prepared to bring me home. And I've always said that I'm twice-chosen - they adopted my sister there five years before me, and Mom and Dad decided that Lisa could go into St. Joseph's and pick out her own little brother. It was completely her choice. She walked into the room where all the babies were in cribs, went straight to the far corner, and put her hands on my crib. "I want him!" she told them.

I had a family.

We flew Dad back up from Florida Thursday night, and that first day was very rough for him. He's doing fine now, and having so many family and friends around has helped immensely. We've been spending much of the past couple days talking about all our memories of Mom. I never imagined for one second, though, that when they left for Florida in mid-December that it would be the last time I'd see her. It hurts to not have been able to be with her, but I'm thankful that Dad was with her at the end.

It also hurts that she wasn't able to see my new book when it comes out. Steve Stanley has been sending page images of it as he completes the layout for it, and I had been able to at least show her a few. She loved the fact that it's in full color, and she kept saying over and over how "pretty" it was. She was really looking forward to seeing it this spring. When I finally hold it in my hands, it will definitely be bittersweet. Mom knew that this book was the one I've been wanting to do for years, and partnering with Steve has been a blessing - it wouldn't be half what it is without him. When I first see it I will think of her, and hope that somewhere she's looking at it and feeling proud of me.

Most of my waking hours are filled with thoughts of her. I keep remembering how she would rock me to sleep when I was up to about 3 years old (yes, I can remember it) and sing Polish lullabyes to me that she learned from her mother. I can still remember the words, although I haven't a clue what they mean. I have the melody in my head, and it's something I'll never forget.

Her food. Her laughter. Her yelling. Her smiles. Sometimes watching her sleep during naps. Her hugs and kisses. How she'd try to swear in Polish when she was mad. How she loved golf and bingo. And the fabulous time she had at our house during our big family Christmas party just a few days before leaving for Florida. She absolutely loved it - especially when we played the little bingo game.

Because of those out-of-state delays, and since she is right now (approximately) on a plane somewhere being flown up her to Pennsylvania, the funeral won't be until Wednesday the 11th. For the viewing Tuesday, it'll be the first time I'll see her since they left. That will be very hard. As my friend Eric Wittenberg assured me, I am more than allowed to cry. Thank goodness, because I'm preparing myself to do lots of it. I expect to be quite skilled at it after a couple minutes.

Since Thursday I have felt much, much older than my nearly 44 years. I'm tired, my joints ache, and my insides feel knotted and empty. Everything that goes along with grief. But I just think of the good times, and that picture of Mom holding me right after the adoption. I don't ever want to leave that day. I wasn't able to comfort her like she did for me a thousand-odd times, but I can hold onto my memories. My wife Karen loved her like her own mother, and I'm so glad they knew each other these past nine years and did so much together.

Thank you for my life, Mom. I hope I have treated that gift well so far. I hope I made you proud of me. One day you can tell me yourself. Until then, your inspiration will carry me through anything life has to throw at me.

Thank you for the lullabyes. I love you.

19 comments:

  1. JD,

    I am sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Kevin S. Coy

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  2. Dear JD.
    Wow bro, I had no idea. My deepest condolences. I lost my mom now over 22 years ago. there isnt a day that goes by that I dont think of her. My dad is still alive, and will be 90 in August. I am hoping he will get to see it.

    Again, if there is anything I can do let me know. If I could I would be there. But cant.

    My deepest condolences. And so sorry for her loss. At least she is far better off.
    And dont be afraid to cry. It helps, it helps.
    Call me if you feel like you need to talk. I will listen.
    JIM

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  3. Oh, JD, I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounded like a lovely woman. My deepest condolences to you and your family...

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  4. JD,

    There's not much that I can say beyond what I've told you on the phone. However, I do have one great regret: that I can't be there on Wednesday. As I told you, I have to be in court on Wednesday, and that court appearance can't be changed. As they say, timing is everything in life, and, needless to say, the timing of this court appearance sucks.

    Please know that you and your family will be in Susan's and my thoughts and prayers.

    And you know where to find me if you need me.

    Eric

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  5. What a beautiful reflection. My deepest condolences to you.

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  6. JD,
    My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Losing a parent is never easy. I lost my father a little over 12 years ago, and I remember well all of the feelings that you wrote about. I think that Eric said it best when he mentioned that you are allowed to cry. I did so for several days.
    Scott

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  7. JD,

    What an eloquent and touching remembrance of your mother and your feelings for her. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.

    Larry F.

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  8. JD. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I take comfort in knowing that those who pass on before us are truly in a much better place.

    The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face shine upon you: and be gracious to you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

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  9. I'm sorry to have heard that, JD.

    Bev and I stopped in to see JR at the Outlet store this past Saturday and, of course, that was the first thing he told us. The only thing he told us. There really wasn't much to say after that.

    Please accept our heartfelt condolences,

    Stan & Bev

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  10. JD,

    My condolences to you on your loss. Your Mom sounds like she was a wonderful woman.

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  11. JD,
    My condolences to you and your family.
    I went through this just before Christmas and it is very rough...and yes it is ok to cry.
    Take care JD.
    Rae-Ann McD

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  12. To everyone:

    Thank you so very much for the thoughts, wishes and prayers. They are very important and much appreciated at this time - today is the viewing, which will be hard on the family, but when I read these comments this morning it was the first time I'd smiled today.

    Thank you. I will likewise keep you in my prayers.

    J.D.

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  13. JD,

    My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Your rememberance of her was very touching and eloquent. My mom is on borrowed time, and your situation is one I've been dreading for quite a while. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

    Don

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  14. David,
    We send our deepest sympathy from around the
    world, literally. From Leah and Virginia in Texas, to Linda in Michigan and Yvonne and Mom (Allie) in England and all the rest of us Pennsylvanians. The piece you wrote about your Mom is wonderful. What a very very special lady. Thank you for sharing with us. You and all your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. In deepest sympathy, Carol Salter Carlini and family

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  15. Carol,

    Wonderful hearing from you! Thank you so much for the kind thoughts. I appreciate it very much. Please tell Dave I said Hi.
    Your Mom must be having a great time in England - today I saw one of my cousins who is originally from England (the cousin who married her met her while in England in the military in the 1970's.
    Thanks again for the wishes and please give all the ladies my best wishes.

    David

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  16. JD, My sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time. BTW I live in Erie, PA. ~Gary

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  17. JD,

    We are sorry for your loss.

    Bill Satterlee

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  18. Nicely said, J.D.
    Love,
    The 5 year old that picked you out.

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