For me, September unfolds like a symphony of emotions, where joy and sorrow intertwine in bittersweet harmony. As the month begins, it brings a sense of renewal— a fresh start symbolized by crisp, blank pages in a new composition notebook. Yet, as leaves fall, September also ushers in a season of transition, gently nudging us toward the year's end. It's a paradoxical time for me, balancing new beginnings with endings.
In my life, September is a month of celebration and remembrance. On 9/10, we celebrate Kitty's birthday, a day filled with gratitude for her presence in my life and what she means to me and so many. Just a few days later, on the 14th, I honor my mother's birthday. Her memory still lights up my life. On her 80th birthday, we welcomed Avery, her first great-grandchild. September 14th will always be joyful as we witness Avery grow into her beautiful soul and turn 11 years old this year.
On September 22nd, 2016, my mother left this time and place with us, leaving a void that will always remain. I am thankful we honored her life and birthday the week before. However, life offers bittersweet gifts, and 4 years ago, my great-nephew Cruz was born on the same date. On that day, happiness and remembrance mesh as we honor my mother's legacy and celebrate the gift of little Cruz with happiness as he grows, learns, and loves.
September 25th is a poignant day. 44 years ago this very day, my nephew, Frank Joseph Rizzo V, was born, making me an aunt at the age of ten! Watching him grow filled me with joy and wonder. The firstborn of my oldest brother, Frank, and sister-in-law, Carol, he brought a new dimension of love into our family. When I picked up a camera at 14 he was my muse. Photographing him was a way to capture that joy and fueled my passion for photography. To this day, I always think of Frankie with warmth and love when I photograph children. Â
The most profound loss came on September 26th, 2010, when Frankie tragically died in a car accident, 1 day after his 30th birthday. His passing forever changed our family. Grief, I've learned, doesn't end but transforms us. The absence of those we love remains, shaping our days in seen and unseen ways. When we hold onto memories and legacies, we keep our loved ones alive in our hearts. Avery, Frankie's eldest niece, beautifully embodies this as she, her sisters, and cousins cherish the memory of their Uncle through the stories shared by their parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. He remains a significant part of their lives, keeping his spirit alive.
These days connected to loved ones bring back the primal ache of early grief, stark reminders of how deeply they are missed. During this month, the losses I've experienced resurfaced with renewed intensity and reminded me of grief's cyclical nature. It doesn't reside in a single day or days but spreads across a season of remembrance, a cycle of emotions that never truly ends.
September's blend of beginnings, endings, love, and heartache reminds me of life's fleeting nature. It teaches me to honor grief while celebrating the lives that have touched mine. In this symphony of memories, I find the strength to move forward, carrying the love of those I've lost as a light through all seasons.
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