Blaise of Glory

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• April 8, 2021

Dearest Blaise,

First born son of my brother. Heir to the arm that shook the world. Future surf legend. Nephew of famed writer, Lori Palminteri (okay, probably not famed but at least relatively successful by the time you’re of age to read this).

I will never forget the day you were born. Partly because your birth date is 4.3.21. Partly because I nearly walked in on your birth. I was right there. I could hear your little tiny cry.

Your mom, the sweetest little hippie girl I know, chose a natural birth at home. Admittedly, most of my family thought this was a little nuts. But we’re all neurotic people. You shall learn this in time. Hopefully this will not rub off on you and you will live your life with ease and with minimal worrying about nonsense. This is where you will need to look to your mother for guidance.

Anyway, I had been staying out at your unofficial Uncle Jimmy’s apartment the evening before and was to drop off a little gift at your home before heading to your Aunt Lisa’s to play with your cousins. I know your cousins will seem so big to you when you’re small. But trust me, as one of 19 cousins, these are people who will be your best of friends for life. How happy I am you will have each other, as the bonds I have with my cousins are some of my most prized relationships.

I texted both your parents to check if I could pop by. Neither of them returned my texts which I didn’t think much of because often they are the type of people who don’t get back to you right away. This is a good quality in the sense that they are not glued to their phones all the time. You will not know a world without smart phones, but trust that I will teach you both the amazing tool that is a smart phone as well as it’s dark side— when the time is right.

I pulled up to the house with my present and knocked at the door. A woman I didn’t recognize peaked out the window wearing a mask. This is when I put it together. You were coming into the world. Mitch, your dad, opened the door and said “the baby is here.” I was so excited I didn’t really know what to do or say so I just threw the present at him and yelled through the door, “love you, Dayna!” and then I immediately called my Mom, your Mimi. “Blaise is here!”

Shortly after this, Mitch sent me a picture of your mom holding you. You were so precious. Just a perfect little bundle. I would stay by Aunt Lisa’s (where our parents were staying as well) in anticipation to meet you the following day.

I showed your picture to your cousin Charlotte (3). “Oh!” She exclaimed, “it’s a baby!” “Yes. That’s Mitch’s son. Your cousin Blaise.” “I’m gonna hold him,” she said.

We could hardly wait to meet you. We waited, impatiently, to hear from the new parents when we could come over.

It probably won’t be until many years, when you are older when you realize how much your father and mother love you. When I got there Mitch held his son, so proud, so adoring. When I held your little body to mine, I fell instantly head over heels. Love at first sight. You cooed in your sleep and had the most perfect little face. I kissed your head and smelled it for good measure. Your parents joked how I almost walked in on your birth.

How I look forward to all your firsts. Your first summer. Your first swim. Halloween. Christmas. Birthday. The sound of your little laugh. Your first steps. Your first falls. Your first words.

It will be some time before you ever understand what a big family you have championing you. Or how much joy you are bringing to our lives. Dear little Blaise, you are glorious. May the world shine as brightly for you as you will shine for us.

All my love always,

Aunt Wori