Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Has Your Loved One Passed on Traits to Your Family's Following Generations?



When my father entered a room, people naturally gravitated toward him. He had an incredible smile and warmth about him that welcomed people. He also had a great sense of humor and knew how to bring a smile to someone's face when they were down. He was such a positive person, people enjoyed his energy. If he found a person needed help, he was there to offer his assistance.


My father was devoted to the people he loved -- especially my mother and his family. My parents were married almost 61 years before he passed in 2006. She was the top priority in his life. He was the best father in the world to me. He emphasized the importance of hope, faith, belief in God, sense of family, desire for my education, love and caring for others. Dad and I had many special talks. At family gatherings, we would find a place to talk. We had a standard joke. I would tell him, "Women talk 50,000 words a day and men 25,000," Then I ask him "Daddy, have you talked your 25,000 words yet today?" He would always answer, "No, not yet." Then we would laugh.

Children flocked to my father. He reminded me of the Piped Piper. When we were at a family party, he could calm a crying baby. If a child was sad, Dad knew how to cheer him up. One evening my little cousin sat on the couch crying. My dad sat next to her with his arm around her. Within a short time, they hugged, and she was ready to play.

My father's name was Michael Salamone, and one of his nicknames was Sal. When I was in grade school, the teacher asked me Dad's name. I told her "Sal". As if she did not believe me, she responded, "Your father's name is 'Sal Salamone'?" When I went home, I asked my mother for clarification on my dad's name.

My niece, Alex, started playing basketball in elementary school and now plays for her college. She began within a short time after her brother, Ryan, passed when he was 23. My husband and I go to a couple of her games each season. One of her games I became extremely excited when I saw her T-shirt. In bold letters - SALAMONE! Aside from being thrilled about seeing Alex play, I received the best gift of the night. When she was called on the floor to play, some of her friends yelled out, "GO FOR IT SAL!" I cried. Her other nickname is Al Sal.

Aside from her nicknames - Sal and Al Sal, I thought of other ways Alex is similar in nature to my father. She is definitely a people person. She has the same kind of gentleness my father had. When someone needs help or wants to talk, she is filled with compassion. She reaches out to her friends when they need her. Slhe coaches basketball for youth; babysits, and spends times with her nieces and nephews. After a game, I watched a couple students from the grade school hugging and jumping on her. She is so responsive and lets children know they are exceptional.

Alex is my "Sunshine" because she brings radiance into my life. She sends me texts to tell me she loves me. She likes it when I visit her and loves it when my husband and I go to her games. My dad was the same way. He brought cheerfulness into my life. We had a cottage and he greeted me in the morning with "Morning Glory". He started using this phrase when I was a child.

Alex is spiritual, has hope for her future, and loves her family and the people in her life. She values her education and wants to obtain a meaningful career. She has a great sense of humor. I seek Alex out for wonderful conversations just like I did with my father and sometimes ask for her advice.

God passed on to my precious baby girl, Sal, characteristics my daddy, Sal, possessed. Alex, what incredible gifts you inherited from Pa Pa (Sal). And thanks to God through Alex, part of my father continues to live.

Have your children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren inherited traits from your loved ones?