Little Frankie
"I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love." (Song 2:3-4 NIV)
When I was a little boy my Godfather lived on a hill above my
home. "Little Frankie" as everyone called him was a small, 80 year old, first
generation, Italian immigrant. He had worked for the railroads his entire life
and had saved a lot of money. Still, he lived a 19th century life in a 20th
century world. He lived in 3 rooms of a slowly crumbling, 100 year old house. He
didn’t have electricity or running water. He cooked his meals and heated his
rooms with an ancient, cast iron, coal stove. His clothes were old, patched, and
worn. A lot of people saw all of this and looked down on him. I never did,
however. When I went up the hill to visit him I always felt at home. Little
Frankie had a simple joy and peace about him that touched my heart. We could sit
and talk for hours. He was a loving soul and even though he died when I was
still very young, he has had an influence on my life that lasts to this day.
Little Frankie taught me that enlightenment isn’t being free of work, problems,
and pains. It comes rather from facing them all with a peaceful spirit and a
loving heart. He taught me that having more things doesn’t bring you more
happiness. He took more pleasure out of a meal of fried potatoes than a
billionaire could get dining on champaign and caviar. He taught me most of all
that the greatest joy comes from the quiet time you spend with God. I have had
few moments as joyful as the ones I spent with Little Frankie just silently
sitting on a rock and listening to the stream that ran by his home. He was one
of the greatest men I have ever known.
The 21st century may be full of things that help us to connect with each other,
but to have real love, joy, and oneness with God we need to connect with the
quiet in our own hearts and souls. In honor of Little Frankie then I am going to
turn off my television, cell phone, and computer for a while today. I am going
to go sit by a stream, remember him, and spend some time with God.
Joseph J. Mazzella
Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing from his readers: joecool@wirefire.com