Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Lucy Delfino. Her name rolls off my tongue...

Two years ago
 when 
took
 to
 in
We met this sweet lady sitting on a bench outside her apt.
 Meet Lucy Delfino
She has lived on MULBERRY Street since she was born.
She's 89.
Julie and I struck up a conversation with her,
knowing how interesting she would be.
We were right... unbelievable.
She must be Italian, she had spaghetti stains all over her pretty white dress.
She even put her earrings on that night.
Now move forward in time to August 2011.
Randy and I retuned to Mulberry St. and found her again. We didn't know what apt. she lived in (we forgot), but I ended up buzzing everyone in the building looking for 
Lucy Delfino.
We got in, even though "this is N.Y."
She remembered us. Juliet and I had sent her notes when we got back to the cottage 2 yrs. ago.
She said she wrote back, but the letter didn't get to us. It was returned to her : (
I couldn't believe Randy and I were sitting in her sweet tiny apt. on Mulberry St. in Little Italy.
Can you believe she has lived here her whole life?
She knows EVERYONE. She has to walk up and down 6 flights of stairs to grocery shop, do her laundry, go to church (yes EVERY Sunday), and get some fresh air.
On this street. 
Mulberry Street. Where its ALWAYS busy and EXCITING.
This was the day she was married.
All her life's treasures are crammed into a 
400 sq. ft. apt.
She had both her parents' wakes in this apt. 
Holy cow!
You'll NEVER guess how much her RENT is...
Are you ready?
$87.14. Yup, rent control - YEAH!
She used to look out this window
and see the Mafia walking up and down the street. In fact, the"Dapper Don" Don Gotti once visited her and her husband in their apartment.
She also entertained a lot. Yes, in that tiny little space she calls home.
 I bet they were GREAT TIMES.
She wanted to cook for us.
Randy and Lucy were comparing recipes.
She said SHE makes the BEST 
eggplant parmesan. I bet she would give Randy a run for his money.
She told us to call before we come next time and she would cook us a REAL Italian meal.
Oh I will Lucy, I will. 
But we had reservations at our favourite restaurant,
We wanted her to join us, but she wasn't feeling up to it. She's had a few health issues lately : (
She's a giver, and wanted to give me something.
The new store owner downstairs wanted Lucy to have something sparkly.
Lucy said, "This is too fancy for me, I think you should have it".
I couldn't say no, after all it's from 
Lucy Delfino on Mulberry St.
Randy and Lucy holding a picture of her 
husband. She misses him.
He died in 1986. She does have a caring son that comes every week to check in on her and help her out. Good boy.
Here she is in her tiny bedroom.
Her furniture is Chippendale. 
Beautiful and massive.
She offered to sleep on the couch if we wanted to stay the night. How sweet is that?
Here she is saying goodbye.
What a treat to have met this wonderful soul.

May God keep you safe Lucy Delfino.
My is full.
I'll see you soon.


I would like to wish my sister and brother in law 
a very
 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 
TODAY
xoxo




24 comments:

Betty said...

Oh Claudie!! This brought me tears. You must have made her day. You have such a sweet soul. It just shines out of you. What a special special memory for all three of you. I am so proud to call you my friend. When you make to California some day...I'll cook for you too!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a wonderful lady! I think meeting interesting people like Lucy Delfino makes our lives so much richer! Glad you were able to find her again! hugs, Linda

Deborah aka Miss Bee said...

This simply melted my heart! Shouldn't we plan a trip to NY?

Larry also loved this. Do you know what kind of work her husband did?

Wow! If her eggplant parmesan is better than Randy's, then it's out of this world. Sometimes, I just crave his!

xoxoxo

Grace said...

I had to stop reading to go get tissues! Oh this warmed my heart. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. Grace xoox

jeanne said...

Hello Claudie, Yes, I am still alive and kicking. My cousin Marilyn being here has been a busy time. My whole life is a busy time. HA!
I adore this Lucy Delfino story. I remember your story when you and Julie went to NY. It is amazing that you found her again. I love the photos and Lucy Delfino. Most of all I love you my dear sweet friend.

Thank you for the Itinerary for Asheville. We will be able to get to everything but getting up early will be important. Some great fun is in the air.

I will be in touch very soon.
Love from me to you, Jeanne xoxoxo

wendy said...

Ahhh.....everyone should meet a Lucy Delfino in their lives. Someone who enriches your soul and has so much "living" to share with you.
I know there must be tons and tons of history on her street, and imagine all the events, and memories that were made in her tiny apartment. Tiny in dimensions, but HUGE in love.

You must tell Randy, that I STILL LOVE HIS eggplant parmesan, and can't imagine anyone outdoing it.
But...it would be fun to do a taste off eh.

Your trips to New York are memorable indeed. Hmmmm...I wonder if I'll ever get there in my lifetime.
ah phoooey....doesn't matter. I've been to Plantagenet and that was Spectacular enough for me.

Lovely story Claudie. You meet special people everywhere you go.

I adore you.

Julie Harward said...

I think that is the sweetest thing for her and you, that you stopped to talk to her and become friends. That is what it's all about..love..loving one another. :D

KatCollects said...

I love this sweet post, about this very sweet lady. There should be more Lucy's in the world. I hope you are doing well!!!
Big hugs,
Kathy

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

WOw. Now that is a story to write down, Claudie, in a book. What a wonderful connection you have made, and this was a beautiful tribute!!!!!! I LOVE NYC!!!! My husband was born in The Bronx....

MUCH LOVE TO YOU and you live life SO WELL...Anita

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

What a sweet and beautiful post Claudie!!!
I can't believe you found her again....and that she let you in too!
What a life she has led, so interesting and so much has changed.
And that gift, so special indeed!
It's really true, everyone has a story to tell!!
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Rita said...

You made me cry; you have a special talent with words Claudie and that music was so perfect for your story. Merci merci! There are still of nice and good poeple in this crazy world of ours.
Rita

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Oh Claudie !!
I can't believe I got on your blog.You used to comment on my blog a long time ago. Every time I tried to get to your blog, my cumputer would crash,so finally I gave up trying to comment back to you. I have a new computer now so here I am at last .You and your friends are so cute !!! Love your story about Lucy . I would love to go to that st. sometime. I found you again on Jeanne's blog.Don't you just love Jeanne.
Come and see me dear .

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

So sweet Claudie ! what a wonderful story, I'm so happy you found Lucy again and shared it with us.
(())

Unknown said...

You're such a kind sould Claudie! What a lovely story about her! I am sorry to say though that I am the one who had the BEST eggplant parmiggiana recipe! P.S When are you coming over???

Sandy xoxox

Anonymous said...

Oh, Claudie! Now who on this earth, but you, would just take up a conversation with a little lady - a stranger - and become such a sweet friend to her! She is precious and I know you and Randy made her day! She will tell everyone about her sweet beautiful Canadian friend. You're truly a jewel, Claudie!
You are a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Jori said...

You are such a sweetheart! I think that is so nice that you went and found her again. I know your visit must have meant so much. What a fabulous, interesting woman! Love that rent control! I am glad you had such a nice visit. :)

Jen said...

What a nice post! How lucky are you to have met soch a special lady.

Have a nice weekend

Jeannette

Annesphamily said...

Oh My Goodnes! What an awesome lady! I would just love her to pieces! She is a precious lady. You are so blessed to know her. Hurry back and visit so you can share your story here! Anne

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Oh my heavens!!! I have tears in my eyes!! Claudie!! This is such a beautiful and touching story! Makes me love and adore you even more. Just the simple idea of you making friends with this older Italian lady and keeping in touch with her. Amazing!! What a gracious and wonderful person you are!!! Love you! XOXO,Jenn

"Create Beauty" said...

Oh this is so touching! This truly shows your heart, a heart of love... what a gift you are to LUCY DELFINO!!!! What a treasure to have found her, and to become her friend!!!

~ Violet

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Oh my I LOVE this story! real people are so interesting and you are a speacil person to realize that. I thank you for leaving a note on my blog and now after reading this I HAVE to follow you!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Claudie, dearest, I can barely type through the tears. Oh, what a lovely story! And you are a special, special lady and just made that sweet one so happy. Thanks so much for sharing this. It's one of the millions of reasons I love you so much.

XO,

Sheila

Christie Jones Ray said...

How absolutely precious! Her name says it all...and how sweet and gracious is your heart, to be open and seeking out God's treasures who need attention and love.
My husband and I visited NYC a few years back and ate at a fabulous Italian restaurant on mulberry st. It certainly is a world all it's own.
Thank you for coming and following Grammy's House. My stepdaughter named me Grammy when her son Xavier was born...right before my marriage to her daddy. I was overwhelmed and never so thankful to receive such an honor..(she had lost her mother in a tragic car accident in 2003) so I am his Grammy and he is "grammy's boy"...he is such a blessing to me. My own 3 children have not had children yet...so we just may wind up with quite a tribe! Lord give me strength!!
I will be praying for your sweet mother...my grandma suffered with alzheimer's..and my mother has always feared it would hit her as well. So far, at 76 and dad almost 80 they are fairing well...even completed 4 months in sierre leone Africa, on a missions trip last year!
So, know that you are being lifted up, each day, by a friend in Tennessee. Come for a visit anytime, dearest friend!
Blessings for today,
Christie
P.S. Such a beauty you are!!!

~CC Catherine said...

Claudie, what a special special GIFT God gave you in finding your Lucy Delfino. Truly, what memories you made, once in a LIFETIME! HE sure is good to YOU love! :)

I pray HE continues to put you together with the people that touch your heart!

You never know when you're entertaining an angel in disguise you know?

Love you cherished friend!
~CC