July 2000, Family Reunion

Spring 2000

My two handsome guys. Despite the solemn occasion, my great uncle John's funeral, I insisted on a photo. Vito being dressed up is a rare thing indeed as his usual outfit was jeans and a T-shirt. We arrived to the funeral in the nick of time and not many seats were left. There wasn't room for the three of us to sit together so Vito had to sit a couple isles ahead us to the right. The minister gave an incredibly touching eulogy with many lovely, personal anecdotes about our uncle John. At one point he spoke about how God loves us all despite our faults and sins. I looked over at Vito and there were tears in his eyes.

Same outfit but a different occasion. My graduation from LPN school. I never could have done it without the help and support of Scott and Vito. They both sacrificed so much to get me thru those grueling 10 months of classes, studying and endless hours of homework. I am forever in their debt.

March, 2000

Scott and Vito posing with my beautiful blooming Amaryllis in Scott's newly updated shop. The Amaryllis was promptly returned to Vito's room where he accidentally bumped into it. The stem broke in half and Vito thought for sure I'd be furious. I bit my tongue and smiled and, despite the hopeless looking situation, told him we could fix it. We got some wet paper towel and some tape, straightened out the stem and put a makeshift splint on it. It looked ridiculous but the other 2 buds actually opened and the plant thrived for a few more weeks.

A Christmas smile, 1999

That face says it all, Christmas is his favorite holiday. He passed out all the gifts that morning with joy. Why the wet knee? Turns out our tree stand had a slow leak and we didn't know it.