It means everything to have had my nonna see some of the work that is my heart- with her and my nonno as the stars. I wish nonno would have come- he loves to see his picture- but he wasn't feeling up to it. Every day, I am reminded how precious our time is.
Their story is inspiring, beautiful, aching, awe-striking- and yet so quiet, nearly unnoticed, as many immigrant stories are. It's the most human one I know.
I've gathered so much of their lives, still unorganized. I wanted them to see at least a sliver of themselves as the legends they are, to reflect them back to themselves. Maybe it matters more to me than to them- they are humble and modest people.
Walking alongside nonna, knowing how much energy it took for her to be there, watching her look up and trace these microcosms of their lives, I felt grief and love split my eyes. And then she laughed and in her dialect she said she didn't even know I took these- except for the ones of her hands.
Forever in gratitude.
Thank you Mom, Bertie, Juan, and Angelo ❤️
and to
@bekkerthewrekker , who brought me roses 🥹🌹
Grateful to
@dollypartonmyfrench for giving so many of us a place to share our inner worlds. You do it all with such grace, and a palpable, uplifting energy.
Honored to share walls with my talented friends and peers ✨ Visit
@baxterspeakeasy to see the show!
