I carry more than just my name.

I carry the privilege of being named after my nonna, who is 94 and lives on the south coast of Sicily.

I carry her independence. I carry her willingness to work hard, and her love for a simple life. I carry her generosity, and her ability to see the light in everyone. I carry the shine in her eyes when she sees someone she loves. I carry her stubbornness, even when she knows she has no reason to fight.

I carry her appreciation for the little things. I carry the way she holds herself like everyone should give her the utmost respect. I carry the way she argues with people until she gets exactly what she wants.

I carry the way she is never defeated by anything. I carry her strength. I carry her stories. I carry her personableness, the way she walks down the street and waves to everyone. I carry her hands and her heart.

I carry her life from the other side of the world, as she carries mine.

We carry each other.