Sunday, April 10, 2022
Once upon a time ,there was a couple with a 3 year old who moved to Manalapan,NJ in 6/2001.The woman worked part time as a RN and was home most of the time taking care of her toddler .9/11 came and all hell let loose .That wife ,mother and RN was me.I often thought what would happen if I were all alone on Sugar Maple separated from Mario in case another hell on earth were experienced .But ,I knew I had my “ Joe across the street “.Joe was one of the first neighbors I met on Sugar Maple .We needed wall paper taken down when we first moved into our new home .Mario and I searched and found ,”Jack the Stripper “.I left a message stating ,” Hi,Jack the Stripper ….please call me back .” Of course I said it in my flirty ,joking voice .Crazy enough ,Joe owned “ Jack the Stripper “,stripping wall paper from walls .How lucky were we ? Joe lived directly across the street from us .Since 2001,Joe has become our family and close friend .He knew I talked a lot ,but 8/10 ,each time he saw me on my front porch when he returned home from work ,he walked across and we just talked and talked and laughed and laughed .He made me laugh .I made him laugh .Every time I had a house problem ,and Mario was not home ,I called Joe .Joe immediately came over .Joe always said ,” YES” to me .Every time we have gone away ,” Joe ,watch my house .” I even called him from vacation .He thought I was “crazy”,but he loved me . Each and every time we returned from Lancaster,we brought Joe home blueberry and apple pies .He did not like Shoo Fly .Every time I called ANY TIME …….and every time he answered ,” CAROL …..ANN‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️” Teddy had a love/hate relationship with Joe ,but truly love .Teddy would go crazy each time he saw Joe outside .Joe would say ,” He is the only one who does not like me on this block .” I then reminded him ,” It is LOVE.” When I met Joe ,he was a single parent to 2 teens .His boys lived with him .He dedicated his life to his two sons .I always told Joe that he defined the word ,” father .” Joe reaped the benefits of seeing his two teens grow into extremely fine young men ,and Joe recently had his fifth grand baby .His family adored him and there was everything to adore .Every Halloween it became tradition ,” Joe ,I have so much candy .Come and get them for your grandchildren.” Joe was my tradition…period .I asked him so many times ,” What am I going to do without you if you go on your motorcycle and move away someday ? I can’t live on this block without you ,you are my Joe ,my safety net .” During our latest snow storm ,our snow blower was not working .He saw Mario struggling and gave Mario his snow blower ..Well,today ,I have learned from his youngest son that my Joe moved on to God last night .I AM SHAKING and CRUSHED.To say I feel a piece of my heart has been scooped out is an understatement.Truly ,my life ,Mario ‘s life ,Joseph ‘s life and Teddy ‘s life will never be the same .My last conversation with him was about pies .I promised him soon when I went back to PA he would have them .I am in shock ,total shock .I used to tell him that so many people told me that I resemble Marie .He so disagreed,” You are my Sandra Bullock .” I would tell him ,” Chubby Sandra Bullock .” I never thought he would go to God now .I thought I would one day hear the news that he sold the house .I did not want to prepare for that day once he retired .How am I going to be able to handle this ? I am not myself with all I have been through and still so much more to deal with .I AM HEARTBROKEN.Joe Manochio WAS GOLD on this Earth .I just told Mario ,” He was one of my people .” He loved us and we loved him .Now ,I have to tell my Joseph .Every Christmas morning since Joseph was 3,Joe left a Harley Davidson shirt for Joseph from Santa on my porch .Joe and his family were part of the college graduation parade for my Joseph during Covid .Omg ,Joe ,what am I going to do without you ?I feel like the floor has been swept from my feet .You have beats of our hearts .I am truly shaking and so sad .THAT smile,it made my day .THAT voice calmed me …..I love you .I just simply love you .You have made my life happy .I hope I made yours happy .In our world today ,those are the best words ever. Imagine ….all these years and ONLY happiness ,kindness and love between us .The fairytale .The End .
