A Letter to My Late Grandfather

You won't believe what grandma did this time.

👋 Hello, I’m Kevin Ferguson, author of 🍷 Rain on the Monte Bello Ridge,🍷 my forthcoming memoir about health, aging and winemaking. (Read the origin story of the book.) 🍇 The Centenarian Playbook is my newsletter, which features longevity tips and stories from Grandma Kay’s long life. It also includes stories of the Gemello Winery, which her late husband, Mario, ran for nearly half a century. 📖 I’m sure you’ll find my maternal grandparents are quite lovable characters. You can subscribe by clicking on this handy little button.

6/26/24: Four generations of Grandma Kay’s family came together to honor her on her 103rd birthday at a charming downtown Los Altos restaurant.

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This letter was inspired by writer Suleika Jaouad's blog post where she prompted readers to write to a deceased loved one. My late grandfather, Mario Gemello, passed away in 2005. He was married to Grandma Kay for 64 years.

Dear Grandpa Mario,

It’s déjà vu all over again, as Yogi Berra loved to say. I figured I’d open this letter with one of your favorite quotes from the Yankee great, since we had one of those moments with Grandma Kay on Father’s Day. 

Not sure what’s more surprising: she’s 103 or that she’s been a widow for 18 years now. If you were watching over our recent Father’s Day gathering - in between your heavenly bocce ball games - I’m sure you got a chuckle over Grandma Kay’s reaction to the memorial happening next door for the other neighborhood centenarian. 

Grandma Kay showed her feistiness over her fear of missing out (FOMO). When we told her cars were lined up on the street and at Mariam’s house, she was stunned. She pushed her walker out onto her driveway to investigate: “I didn’t get invited?”  

When we told her the geographically-distant kids probably organized it and likely kept it to family, that didn’t calm her FOMO. She wondered aloud if Leanne, the last remaining neighbor in your diminishing friend group, got invited. 

“If she got invited, I’m going to let somebody have it!” Grandma Kay exclaimed. Not sure who she would complain to.

“If she got invited, I’m going to let somebody have it!” Grandma Kay exclaimed.

I think she’s upset because she’s recalling another one of your favorite Yogi Berraisms:  "Always go to other people's funerals. Otherwise, they won't come to yours."

Love and always missing you,

Kevin

Wine Talk: I’ll be on the Cultural Stage on Saturday, Aug. 3!

Mark your calendar: I’ll be a guest speaker at the 42nd Annual Italian Family Festa, which is expected to draw 25,000 people to downtown San Jose over two days. The event consists of music, wine tasting, arts and crafts as well as games for kids. 

I’ll be sharing the story of the rise of the Gemello Winery during the Great Depression and its survival through Mountain View’s explosive 20th century growth. 

My time slot: 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m., Saturday, August 3rd, on the Cultural Stage.

Location: History Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose.

Cost: Free 

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