Vittoria's Corner: 47 Months- 47 Mesi

(Mom's turn)
Besides running a few errands around Rome to get ready for the wedding and basic needs, we spent our whole vacation at my parents' home, swimming, relaxing (and myself recovering from a severe case of hives). By the end of our stay, Jacomo learned how to swim, with no arm bands, diving off the side of the pool and keeping his eyes open under water. We were so proud of him, especially considering that at the very beginning he didn't want have anything to do with learning how to swim. Of course, my thoughts always go to our Vittoria, even during the fun times...I wonder how much fun she would have had swimming and playing with her brother....
A parte gli ultimi giri per il matrimonio e per le necessita` giornaliere, abbiamo trascorso quasi tutta la nostra vacanza a casa dei miei, tra piscina e relax complete ( ed io a cercare di guarire da una reazione orticarioide). Alla fine della nostra vacanza, Jacomo ha imparato a nuotare da solo, senza braccioli, con gli occhi aperti sott'acqua e a fare i tuffi dal bordo. Siamo veramente orgogliosi di lui, soprattutto considerando che all'inizio di imparare a nuotare non ne voleva proprio sapere . Anche durante questi momenti di relax e divertimento, i miei pensieri sono sempre per la nostra Vittoria, penso a quanto si sarebbe divertita a nuotare e a giocare con il fratellino...

(ready to go- pronto per nuotare)

(grocery shopping)

(great helper- un grande aiuto)

(My dad, Jacomo and Max, Maggie's brother)

(Playing soccer dressed as a gladiator!)

Daddy is here!!! E` arrivato papa`!!

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PLAYING IN THE POOL

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At the Bed and Breakfast the day before my brother's wedding!

GELATO!!!!!!!!!!!

SOO AMAZING!!! FAVOLOSO!!!

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WEDDING DAY JULY 13, 2013

(the path to the Family Chapel)

(My parents and my brother)

(Jacomo the ring bearer)

(Virginia and her dad)

(the newlyweds with the parents)

(coming out of the chapel)

(my brother Andy, James and I)

(From Left: my cousin Francesca, myself and my cousins Domitilla and Ludovico)

(our model pose!)

(the purple Cruciani bracelet my aunt Lucia gave me to wear for the evening in honor of Vittoria )

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(una bella bevuta dal "nasone)

(eating dinner)

(sitting with Pinocchio)

(Jacomo is Pinocchio)

(motorcycle made entirely by wood)

(the Pantheon)

(walking down the streets of Rome at 11 pm)

(Trinita` dei Monti)

(Piazza del Popolo)
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(this is the "Iron Man" dive)

(eating dinner with Andy and Virginia)

(Jacomo with uncle Andy and aunt Virginia)

Playing with Dad

(with my paternal Grandma Idelma)

(just hanging out)

The night before leaving to go back to Utah, as we were ready to turn off the lights and Jacomo was settling in his bed, he pointed at the ceiling, meaning the sky, and out of nowhere asked :"Can Vittoria come down?". Barely holding my tears back, I whispered that she couldn't, she was with Jesus, watching over us. He paused and as I was looking at him waiting for more innocent heartbreaking questions, I could hear James and my mom behind me trying to keep it together. Then before falling asleep, he said :" Vittoria had an owie to her heart, and went to stay with Jesus".

Yes, Jacomo, she did, but she is always with you, guiding you and watching over you because she loves you very much.

Right then, I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Seeing this little boy asking for his sister was absolutely heartbreaking. We miss her so very much, it's beyond words.

La sera prima di ripartire, mentre ci preparavamo per andare a letto, Jacomo, tutto accocolato nel suo lettino, indicando il soffitto, (cioe` il cielo), all'improvviso ha chiesto " Puo` Vittoria venire giu`?". Con una fatica immensa nel trattenere le lacrime, gli ho sussurrato che non poteva perche` era con Gesu` e stave vegliando su di noi. Ha fatto una pausa, come per pensarci su e mentre aspettavo altre innocenti domande strappacuore, sentivo James e mamma dietro di me che cercavano di trattenere le lacrime. Poi poco prima di addormentarsi, Jacomo ha detto :" Vittoria aveva una bua al cuore ed e` andata a stare con Gesu`".

Si`, Jacomo, ma lei sara` sempre con te, a vegliare su di te, a guidarti nella vita perche` ti vuole un bene da morire.

In quell momento, avrei voluto raggomitolarmi come una palla e piangere. Vedere questo bimbo chiedere della sorella e` stata una cosa straziante. Ci manca in una maniera incredibile, non ci sono parole.