I am mamina
The day I found out I was going to be a grandma, I went into high gear pondering whose namesake I would take. Choosing one of my grandmother’s names was the only way to go. I would be either ‘Nonnie’ or ‘Mamina’ after one of my grandmothers. Nonnie was my grandmother on Mom’s side. Mamina was Dad’s mom. How could I choose?
Oh, how I loved my Nonnie. She had soft brown eyes, thick glasses, and a heart of gold. She showed me how to do things like quarter grapefruits and eat chicken wings ‘the right way.’ She wore an apron around her belly, cooked tasty food, and allowed me to let Brioschi fizzle on my tongue. Later, she lived with us. We listened to Stairway to Heaven together.
Oh, how I loved my Mamina. She wore floral dresses and open toe shoes. In summer, she sat in the hot sun, legs crossed at the ankles, delicately wafting the air across her face with a brightly-colored hand fan. I remember greeting Mamina on Sunday visits when I was little. The four of us lined up in front of her as she cupped our cheeks one by one. “Bella Bambini,” she’d say as she spoke no English.
Mamina’s food was fiery and delicious. She cooked her sauce at high heat until it splattered all over the stove, resulting in a fiery marinara perfect for dipping crusty bread. Dad was always laughing with her and hugging her. He loved her so much. When it was time to go home, she gave us each a Hershey’s Bar with almonds, which we ate on the way home.
Mamina’s husband died in the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918—leaving her no choice but to immigrate to America and marry an Italian man chosen by her family. Dad never knew his dad, Giovanni, and I of course never knew Giovanni either.
My name choice
Ultimately I chose Mamina as a salute to Dad, Mamina, and my grandfather Giovanni whose life got tragically cut short. Lovely Mamina passed away when I was seven. Dad died seven years later. He never saw us grow into adults, marry or met his grandkids. I took Mamina as my namesake in honor of Dad. I think he’d like that.
Blessings
Mamina means little mother, or mother in Italian. I am Mamina—mother to three healthy adult children; grandma to three—soon to be four—grand babies. Grateful for it all.
Salute, Mamina