Celebrating Family

Caso, Marvulli, D’Attoma Branches

Photo courtesy of Toni Fraticelli

left to rt seated: Rita Fraticelli (Caso), Vera D’Attoma (Marvulli), Rose D’Attoma (Marvulli), Michael Caso, Rose Caso, on lap Lucy D’Attoma (Vera’s daughter), unknown friend. 2nd row: Angelo D’Attoma (Vera’s husband), Guy Caso, Elizabeth Caso (Panacciulli), Elizabeth’s Uncle, Elizabeth’s brother Frank Panacciulli, woman with glasses another Panacciulli family member. In Middle: man with glasses white hair and woman next to him are Elizabeths parents Antonio and Antonia Panacciulli. Back row: John D’Attoma (Rose’s husband), Giuseppe Marvulli, Antoinette D’Attoma, Joe Panacciulli, Toni, John D’Attoma.

This timely photo was shard with me by my 3rd cousin who I have recently connected with through this blog. Timely, because, Toni shared it was taken in the spring, possibly on Palm Sunday. Looking at the photo closely you can see a plant in the center of the crowd and the table is filled with an array of baked goods, dessert, traditional for Palm Sunday and Easter. The picture was taken by Anthony Fraticelli, Toni’s father who was an amateur photographer. The family was gathered at the home of her grandparents Michael Caso and Rosa DiGirolamo, who I have been featuring these last few postings. Their home was located at 37-21 28th St, Astoria, Queens, N.Y., a frequent gathering place for their growing branch as the basement featured a full kitchen with seating for all.

Gathering together to celebrate life and family was not only a tradition but a must for all our extended families. My branch gathered together also, to raise their glasses to say ‘all vostra salute’

 

I am imagining all our branches gathering together and this is by far not all of us

But as we gather this Easter 2020, or I should say as we stay sheltered in place during this Easter Sunday, so many of us alone, not by choice but necessity of this pandemic, as the years have gone by and family gatherings like these have become less and less common, remembering and celebrating our ancestors has taken on a broader and more important meaning to me. Whether we have separated by time, place, or ideas that don’t line up, we are those who came before us with their hopes and dreams becoming our hopes and dreams, we are not alone. 

 

Below is one of my favorite photos of my family taken at our last gatherings when all of my children were together, with their children, add four more grands born since, and then add 6 more to that photo, 1 on the way, the grands with their own children, spanning the country from Oklahoma, Alaska, California, Oregon, Texas, Illinois and Okinawa, Japan.

            Yucca Valley, CA, 1996 

From my home to yours, from my family to your family

A very special thank you to Toni for reminding me of just how precious our family is