A Thanksgiving To Remember

OIB friend Gabrielle Parisi who resides on the West Side shares this poignant holiday story.

My Bridgeport Zombie Tale

This is one reason why I love this City, and it would be heartbreaking for me to leave. On Halloween night I was dressed up and handing out candy to throngs of little goblins while their parents laughed, beamed and made sure each little goblin said thank you. One little 4 year old Zombie named Mateo (very scary, I might add) walked up to me as I was kneeling down and asked me to open his licorice. I responded that I would if it was ok with his mommy. I looked up from my porch with a question mark on my face, and every adult whose eyes I met said, “He is not with me.” I gave him his candy, and as he scampered off of my porch, I noticed that he did not grab on to anyone’s waiting hand. I flew off of the porch and caught him on the side walk and asked, “Where is your Mommy sweetie?” She is down there, he said and pointed down the now empty street.

I picked up my new Zombie pal and walked back to my house with him on my hip. By this time the crowd on my front walkway was totally invested. Every single parent, cousin, brother, sister, and all the little Ghosts and Goblins they had in tow, that visited my house from that moment on had a greater purpose: finding the little Zombie’s Mommy. They came up my front steps with one purpose, and left with a greater one. The streets in the neighborhood came alive with the good people of Bridgeport calling out for Mateo’s Mommy. Within an hour I heard someone yell, “She is coming, she knows just where he is!” Up my front steps came a petrified Aunt in tears, who just threw her arms around me and thanked me in a voice thick with fear. I let her in, and she broke down at the sight of little Zombie Mateo. About two minutes later Mateo’s Mommy raced up my stairs, and gave me the biggest hug I will ever get from a complete stranger. We sat in the house and waited for the police, and then Mateo went home, safe with his family. About five minutes ago my doorbell rang. It was Mateo’s Aunt asking for a hug, I hugged her, and the lump started to form in my throat. She asked me to wait one second, while she went to her car. She came back and handed me a Turkey, with all of the trimmings, and hugged me again, and kissed my cheek and said ‘I will be back at Christmas.” I will bring the dinner to Matty’s corner for donation to a family in greater need. These are the folks that populate this City. I am tearing up again now. What can I say: ONLY IN BRIDGEPORT.