Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Dearest Lydia, Jonathan and Bill, and all who knew and couldn't help loving Elide, please accept our condolences. We know your dear mom and grandmom, Nonna, loved you and cherished you as deeply and completely as she could fathom, even from the depths of her unending grief at losing her beloved son and husband in the same year.
Her great heart finally chose not to carry her earth-bound burdens any further. Now she can soar without physical limitation; free at last, yet held close and tight to our own minds and hearts.
Elide's demi-sister, my beloved mother, Anna Rose Manganelli, has watched over our sweet luncheons at Leonardo's and smiled from the place of honor in our minds - that's where she lives at this time. Elide leaves us now to share that place of light and beauty.
A deep red rose in the garden of life has given its colors and scent for all to embrace.
The rose has dropped its cloak and joined the realm of rose essence. Much more color. Infinitely more spiritual. Eternally rose.
We observers of the garden bow in homage.
The entire garden bows.
