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Yolanda Melchiorre Bianchini circa 1945
Yolanda Melchiorre Bianchini circa 1945
My Mom, Yolanda Melchiorre Bianchini, was a sweet woman who loved her family. Aren't they all? She is the light that went out in my life in 2005, when Alzheimer's advanced and took the life out of her eyes, then her mind and body.
Mom was born in Newark, NJ, 2nd youngest of 10 siblings. She was beautiful and cared about everyone. In 2000, she slowly lost her ability to do all the things she loved ... cooking, reading the newspaper, decorating, cleaning (yes, she liked it), and caring for her granddaughters. She was my partner in travel and we loved to explore when on trips to Italy, California and Hawaii. She comforted me and showed me love all the time.
As the disease progressed and I visited her in the nursing home, she smiled at me, and said "My Heart!" but didn't really know that I was her daughter, just someone she loved. That pain and sadness stays with me and my sister and her granddaughters till this day. No one should have to watch their mother deteriorate slowly. I watched her die that day in 2005, watched as she heavily gasped for air, and then, she reached to something or someone in front of her. I like to believe it was an angel, or my Dad who was coming to get her. I will never know.
Mom -- I miss you every day, and I thank you for being my mother. Always. My heart.