This Albina thing is going to be interesting.

I have had two Albinas in my life. My grandmother who was my Dad’s mother and Albina my cousin.

My cousin Albina died monday. She was 80. She was in a nursing home in Utica for years and prior thereto lived in Utica her entire life. I have neither seen nor thought of her in years. Keep in mind, she died monday. Wednesday for some unknown reason she came to mind and I discussed her with a friend. I was unaware she had died. I discussed her in depth. Once many years ago when I was around 40, I went through a bad time. She was there for me.

We grew up together. Initially, we both lived in my grandparent’s three story 6 apartment house in the Italian ghetto in Utica. We were all Italians. I did not know for years there were any other type peoples.

Then my parents purchased a two family home in another neighborhood. Albina and her family immediately moved in upstairs and lived there longer than I.

Ergo, there were periods when Albina and I were close.

Thursday, I received two memos indicating Cousin Albina had died the previous monday. Immediately I knew she had been there with me the day before trying to let me know she had moved on.

Then there is our grandmother Albina. The best of the best. One of the finest people I have ever known. Loved her dearly. We all did.

You are going to think I am whacky, but my grandmother “appeared” to me twice after she died. Note the woman had raised me in my early years while my mother worked. Grandma only spoke Italian. Never learned English. I spoke Italian before English. I am ashamed to admit I am able to speak little Italian today.

I had been sick. The doctors thought I had cancer. The worst type. Tons of tests. I would get the results the next day. I woke from my sleep in the middle of the night the evening before. My grandmother was walking in front of my bed. She had been dead for years. My home was old, but lovely. Radiator heat. Large radiators. I had covered them with wood. It was summer so they were not operating.

My grandmother sat on the radiator. It was a younger version of her. She basically told me to worry not, everything would be ok. Then she rose and disappeared.

The next day I got the medical reports. No cancer.

There was another time some 20 years later when she appeared to me again. The same middle of the night thing. I had a problem that was weighing on me. She said worry not and faded away.

I believe my grandmother appeared to me each time and I further believe Albina was trying to say something to me on wednesday.

Crazy, I am not.

I want to stay with Albina for a moment. Who would name a person Albina? What a strange name! Never ran into another person with it.

I always considered it Italian, but never never even came across an Italian with that name except for my grandmother and Albina.

Did a little digging this morning. Albina is a feminine name. Of Roman and Swedish origin. Derived from the Latin “albas.” Means “white” or “”bright.”

The name is still popular in Europe. Especially in Russia and Ukraine. A couple of other nations, also. There is a Saint Albina as well as a popular European singer today by the name of Albina. The name was also popular during early Christianity.

Even if I had known, I still would not have named any of my daughters Albina.

At 3 this afternoon, Syracuse and Boston College meet in basketball. I had planned on watching the game at Brady’s with Steve Thompson and Dan Reardon. Was going to call Fred Klein to join us. A Syracuse grad also.

It will not be.

For some reason every time I plan on watching a Syracuse game from Brady’s, I wake with a bad back. No way could I sit and watch the game today.

Michael Halpern’s Celebration of Life will be held today from 5 to 8 pm at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. The place will be packed.

I close with Dry January. This month is set aside for people not to consume alcohol at all or reduce their intake a bit. The goal: A healthier you!

Enjoy your day!

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