Sammy is still convalescing so we're playing musical days.
Sammy & Ilna - love you both to the moon and back. Thank you for being you. Feel better, Sammy, we love you.
REALMcRollers and Readers - Thank you all, always.
"Famiglia dove inizia la vita e l'amore non finisce mai" (Family, where life begins and love never ends.)
Love, Nonna
Across the country and across an ocean, smiles appeared when packages and envelopes were opened and recipients saw the familiar handwriting of their beloved relative in New Jersey.
DJ sat between Catherine and Steve since he might need some help with the cursive hand of Nonna's letter. Angie, perched on her daddy's lap peered into the package and pointed. "Cookies? More cookies fwom Nonna?"
"These are struffoli, baby girl," Catherine explained. "You had them last Christmas at Nonna's house." She kissed the headfull of curls.
"Between naps under the tree and in the pantry." Steve chuckled, and opened the tin for a look.
Both kids' eyes grew. "Ohhhh, spwinkles, look, DJ."
"Struffoli is so good." His head bobbed in a nod. "But we gotta read Nonna's letter first 'cause they're super sticky."
"Sticky!" Agnie parroted and looked at her mother. "Wead, Mommy, den tweat?"
"Yes, Nonna's letter first then we'll have a little struffoli as a treat," she said as Steve placed the tin on the coffee table while DJ, with Catherine's help, began to read.
My dear pronipote DJ and bella Angie,
Thank you for your beautiful letter. Such nice penmanship, which tells me you were very careful and took your time.
I'm so happy you enjoyed the knots. Today I'm sending struffoli to get you all in the mood for Christmas.
Your gotcha day celebrations sound wonderful. I know your friends enjoyed Kaitlyn's delicious cupcakes and you had a beautiful evening with your family, who are so, so happy and lucky you are theirs.
The turkey drawings you and Angie sent went right up on my refrigerator. They make Nonna smile every time I see them, which is all the time because you know I am always in the kitchen. The photo of Cammie and Pumpkin with you two angels and your mommy and daddy is in a frame on my wall, also making me smile. What a lucky kitten to find a loving family like yours.
I'm very proud of you and Angie for your sports accomplishments, DJ, even more because I know you always play fair.
I can't wait to get my big hug, because yes, I am coming for Christmas! I will see you all on the Skype and then in person very soon.
All my love, my sweethearts,
Nonna
Cheers broke out when the last line was read and the kids hopped up to grab hands and dance around the room chanting, "Nonna's coming!" at the confirmation Nonna would indeed be spending the holidays in Hawaii.
Dearest Joan,
You made me very happy with your real letter, darling girl, and I love how you signed your full name.
Those are some very fancy markers, sweetheart, and your Elsa picture is a work of art! It's right on my refrigerator next to the turkey crafts your cousins sent me.
How lovely you went out to lunch while you all looked beautiful with your manicures. I know you are excited to be going to Hawaii for Thanksgiving and that you will have a wonderful time with your cousins and Aunt Catherine and Uncle Steve.
I'm looking forward to Christmas because Nonna is coming to Hawaii and I will get to see you, your parents and Deb. I am sending some struffoli today and I can't wait to make them again in Hawaii with you and your daddy helping.
Kiss Mommy and Daddy for me and I will see you soon for a big hug in person.
All my love,
Nonna
That afternoon, when Aaron entered the house, a gleeful Joan flug herself at him squealing, "Daddy, "Nonna's coming to Uncle Steve and Aunt Cath's for Christmas!"
Smiling at Mary as he lifted the little girl into a hug he said, "Secret's out?"
Nodding with a return grin, Mary waved towards the letter and canister of struffoli on the table. "Right from the horse's mouth." Eyes aglow, she pecked his cheek. "And I can't wait."
Dear Jacob,
Hello my handsome boy and thank you for your letter. I love hearing from you always, and a handwritten letter is like an extra little gift.
Your brother's science project sounds amazing. Like you, I needed an explanation on the skype call because he's already so much better at science than I ever was. We all have our own special talents, though, right?
I used my favorite talent to make the struffoli in this package. I sent a double batch for your family to enjoy.
That University of Hawaii football game sounded like a wonderful experience and more importantly, a chance for some fun time to bond between brothers. Your family is a perfect example of how famiglia works and Cody and Jadon are such good examples.
I'm very happy to tell you I am definitely coming to Hawaii for Christmas so we'll all have lots of fun spending another family holiday together.
Hug your mom, brothers and sisters for me, with an extra one for Casey when she's home for Thanksgiving. I will see you very soon.
All my love,
Nonna
Dear Casey,
Look at you, my college girl, loving calculus and getting ready for your track meets.
I'm thrilled you have famiglia close by and that they're there for you, whether it's a quick visit, a home cooked meal, or a place to stay when you need a little break from campus life. I know they are so happy to have you, and Joan is simply delighted whenever you stop by.
I look forward to seeing more videos and maybe watching you play a game or two when I visit for Christmas! Yes, I'm coming for the holidays and cannot wait to see your beautiful face and hear all about life at school and how you are enjoying college.
The struffoli in this package should be enough to share with your roommate and a few friends. It seems like a lot but I remember well how my Daniel and his friends ate anything homemade at your age.
Enjoy, sweetheart and be safe.
I am excited to see you and all my amazing Allen family soon. Until then, I will see you on the family skype.
All my love,
Nonna
My darling bella regazza Catherine,
The cat's out of the bag as they say! Those boys who can hold so many secrets at work when they are catching perps and keeping everyone safe, but cannot keep a happy secret will always make me laugh. They really are all ten year olds inside, sweetheart, every single one of them.
I loved the jam. You are so thoughtful, as always, stopping to pick it up and send it to me. I have a recipe I came up with using it for cookies and we'll make some when I arrive.
The kitten is adorable and I am sure Daniel teased Steven about that photo with a tiny cat perched on his shoulder while he read through notes on a case at home. The cat already knows what you always did, my handsome boy has a very loving heart.
I am so looking forward to seeing you all for another holiday, and I am very happy to be able to spend Christmas away from the cold and snow.
I love you very much,
Nonna
A wealth of smiles spanned time zones as many minds held a single thought: "It'll be the best Christmas yet."
#End. Thanks for reading!
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