June 11, 2009

Words I shared with everyone at Suzanne's rosary this evening.

With in minutes of meeting my now husband, I swore he mentioned something about the Peretto's. Not sure if it was something about John-John, John, or Suzanne but he referred to them constantly. For a while I was confused if the Peretto's were people I had to meet or some "THING" I had to experience...as we all know its a little bit of both.
When I finally got the opportunity to meet them, just five years ago, it happened to be just weeks after my own father had passed away. They say timing is everything and just as they had filled a huge void in my husband's life when his parents passed away they did the same for me. They welcomed my mom, sister, and I immediately and treated us like family. I can't thank them enough for that during that trying time.
On that first meeting, which was at the annual canoe trip, I was a bit nervous as this was really like meeting my husband's family for the first time and what was Steve's surrogate mom. But, Suzanne instantly put me at ease - this wasn't one of "those" families. This family was like no other I had ever or will ever encounter. They were real, they were caring, they were thoughtful. That night I drank, and smoked, with Suzanne. She shared stories with me and Rani, my now sister in law, about our in-laws that we never got a chance to meet...stories that are best told in only Peretto fashion, stories that I've probably heard at least 10 times in the last five years but they only get better, and more dramatic each time....another reason we love the Peretto's.
When I think about Suzanne I think about how she always listened whole heartedly. I think about how she dreamed passionately. I think about how she loved unconditionally. I think about how thoughtful she was and how she instilled in all of us the importance of traditions - from silver cups for each child that was born, to going all out for Christmas and the Academy Awards. Traditions keep families going and provide memories that last a lifetime.
John-John, you are a reflection of her in so many ways, you are loyal, the best friend anyone could ask for, you listen and you care deeply about your family and friends. Most importantly you know how lucky you were to have her as a mom. I thank you and your dad, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing her with all of us.