Good Faith

"My name is engraved in the Sistine Chapel" I remember her telling me once proudly.  The Sistine Chapel as in THE Sistine Chapel... of Michelangelo fame... in Rome.  Actually, I believe she meant that her name is engraved under the dome above the main altar in the Basilica of St. Peter's, which the Sistine Chapel is a part of.  The language of the church is Latin, and the word Fides means Faith in Latin.  Fides is also a deity, actually; she is the goddess of trust and good faith.

Nonna would explain the pronunciation of her name ... "Fee-Diss - NOT Fee-tuss... as in an unborn baby" when she was introduced to new people.  Apparently hearing, understanding, and properly articulating her name, even amongst other Italians, was difficult. 

I only saw her a few times a year at most.  They lived a few moons up the coast and it was almost an all-day affair to reach them.  We traveled by car, got through the border, caught the ferry, and then back in the car to (literally) race off to catch the next ferry!  I always loved those ferry rides.  The natural beauty through Horseshoe Bay and Howe Sound was always mesmerizing to me.  I always felt, what I perceived as, Native American spirituality as we floated along.  Once we were off that second ferry it was only a few more miles until we arrived!  When we finally reached them they would be standing on their deck waving at us and she would run down to greet us with hugs and kisses. 

Those feelings and thoughts I had about her stand out in my mind all the time as she was very influential in what she stood for and what she communicated in that universal language that women speak.  It's interesting how the years all blend together; before you know it you become a woman too, and begin to see and experience what she may have seen & experienced when she was younger.  My vision, understanding and admiration for her evolved over the years. 

She was our matriarch and as such, her very strong character is what resonates with me the most.  Italians are known for being very opinionated and very loud - and that side of my family is, without a doubt, both of those things!  I think now about things she had done or said and I can relate to it, in a current times sort of way.  First and foremost she always made sure her husband, family, and home were taken care of.  Actually, that was her J-O-B.  She lived in times when it wasn't even considered a luxury to stay at home, that's just how it was. 

Their house was always neat, clean, and tidy... no clutter...definitely no dust... no junk mail or bills or "things" everywhere - maybe junk mail didn't even exist then?  She was always busy with something and took pride in herself and her surroundings.  That was just what she did and who she was.  In those everyday events, she always seemed to be enjoying life!

So... maybe my Nonna was named after Fides the deity?!  It certainly makes sense now that I'm thinking about it...  after all, deities are Goddesses, right?  They interact positively with humans and have the ability to carry us, mere mortals, to new levels of consciousness - consciousness beyond the ordinary preoccupations of life - the endless chores... the monotony of working a 9-5?  Her incredible way of making everything seem like it was no big deal... is, in fact, one of the characteristics I admire most about her. 

So on this Mother's Day, I sing to my Dear Nonna,

(and if she were alive today I know she would sing right along with me!)

I sing to the mother of my fun, fantastic father...  

Happy Mother's Day!!  

You always carried the Faith & I will forever have you in my heart!

S.