A living lesson in unconditional love

perkins1.JPGLouis Tarzia
Christmas has not been the same since my grandparents passed away. That were Louis and Queen Tarzia, of North Syracuse.

My grandpa was a candy and cigarette salesman. He serviced all the inter-city small stores in Syracuse. In his travels, he noticed all the needy families. He had a meager income and my grandmother was a housekeeper. He would always box up toys and clothes for the needy. He never wanted anything for himself, except for his family to be together.

Christmas was magical in their home. They did not have a fireplace but instead a cardboard brick fireplace with a fake red flame. The mantle was covered with angel hair and Syracuse Emkay Christmas candles.

There were reindeer, Santa, elves, angels and Christmas candles. These were never lit, just brought out year to year.

My grandmother always made sugar cookies and all kinds of delicious food. It was the gathering place for all our family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. While we ate dinner, my grandpa’s much loved dog, Sammy, sat under the table. He was a mutt my Dad rescued from the old Cicero dump.

Somehow, my grandparents made sure everybody got a present.

My grandfather loved children and animals. Christmas was about the birth of Christ. This is where I learned that the only true love is unconditional love.
Merry Christmas to Grandma and Grandpa in Heaven.

Jimmy Tortorelli
North Syracuse