KNOWING YOU

By Michael Fuggetta

This is a letter to my wife about our lives after she passed from this world. The purpose is to ease my grief by honoring our lives together and to show others that true love exists, Soulmates exist, Angels exist, God exists, and life is short so make the most of the time you have finding and holding on t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Writing Genie
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9781961619654

Book preview

KNOWING YOU

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KNOWING YOU

To Michele, Love always and forever, Michael

BY

Michael Fuggetta

Copyright © 2024 by Michael Fuggetta

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Published by Hemingway Publishers

Cover design by Hemingway Publishers

ISBN: Printed in United States

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Conclusion

Epilogue

Prologue

-Debbie Fugate

It was a Friday morning at 10:07 on October 28th, 1977 when my bundle of joy was born into the world.  I had two names picked out, Jasmin or Michele.  I chose Michele as I named her after the Beatles song Michelle.  She was 6 pounds and 4 ounces.  Two days later, friends of mine Ann Marie and Tommy came to pick us up.  They brought us home and got us both settled in.  I knew from that day forward that she was a **very special girl**. We lived in Norwalk Conn. where she was born for two years.  My parents moved to Port St. Lucie, Fl.  After a year went by my dad asked me if I would like to move there also.  Well I thought about it and guess what, we moved there along with three other friends.  There are so many things I could talk about in her 43yrs.  There are just too many memories that I just can’t begin to say.  I 'm glad my Dad talked me into moving to Florida.  If I never did, Michele would have never met her true love Michael, who gave her such a wonderful life all the time they had together. They also gave me two beautiful grandchildren, which I am so grateful for.

-Carrie Duffin

Michele, Michael, Alyssa, and Nicholas all hold a special place in my heart. Michele was my forever friend and is missed more than words can describe. This book is a true reflection of the love story Michele and Michael shared. I am so blessed to have had Michele in my life. I will be forever thankful for the memories we created. Thomas and Nicholas’ soccer journey led us to spend countless weekends together over the years. Our monthly dinner club dates were a personal favorite, along with our many walks where we talked about our lives and gave the best advice to one another.  Michele was the sweetest and kindest person I ever met. She loved to be liked and hated any conflict. She loved her family unconditionally. Although she was petite, she was the strongest person I had ever met. She fought like a warrior until the very end. I think of you every day, Michele. I wish I had one more day with you to tell you how much your friendship meant to me. You will forever be missed until we meet again, my friend; keep watching over us.

-Lora Calnan

I met Michele in 2012 while our children attended the same school. I was instantly attracted to her sense of style. We became quick friends. I always told her she was my first normal friend from Florida. I knew after our first night out together, when we closed down West End Grill, that she was a keeper! We shared a love of family, of nonsensical Bravo shows, and a passionate search for that perfect wine!  Michele was my walking partner, confidant, and sister in so many ways. And, even in the darkest of times, Michele's spirit was always optimistic! I love and miss my dear friend, but I know she is with me.  I hear her in the music I hear, and she knows I know.

-Nicki Horn

Michele and I became friends in middle school and remained close through our high school years. After graduating, we lost contact, but we reconnected in 2008 when I had my youngest son. It was great that our boys got along so well. They eventually even went to the same elementary school. We were both stay-at-home moms and spent a great deal of time together. She was always so much fun to be around that I looked forward to our time together. We had so much in common, and we shared lots of laughs. She was a true friend; and both generous and thoughtful. I can’t recall many times when she wasn’t smiling or laughing. She was so positive, strong and such an inspiration as she went through her chemo treatments. I’ll always have such fond memories of her. I smile when I think of her. She was such a beautiful soul. I was blessed by her friendship.

-Becky Villar

I had the pleasure of meeting Michele due to the wonderful sport of soccer around 2008. Our boys were only four years old. We became friends very early in the season and were lucky enough that our kids stayed on the same team for a few seasons. Michele was an amazing friend. She was always so nice and generous. She was such a joy to have around. I was truly blessed to have her as a friend. I miss her dearly.

-Theresa Hearing

Michele and I met in high school. She made friendship so easy. We enjoyed spending time together, whether we were hanging out laughing, having a good time, or shopping together. As we got older, we talked about starting a decorating business together because we both thoroughly enjoyed decorating our homes. Our friendship became so close that we felt like family. I was honored when she and Michael asked if I would be their son's Godmother! On several Christmas Eve, their family came over to see us before visiting their own families. I’ll always remember that she was there for me during hard times; she made everything seem okay. She was so strong and always had a smile on her face. She never wanted anyone to worry about her. Michele will never be forgotten. I feel grateful to have known her and for the wonderful friendship we shared.

-Vanessa Mundrean

I can’t exactly remember when I met Michele. It must have been when Danny and I started hanging out. I believe at the beginning of a romantic relationship; your focus is on that one particular person, so everything seems to be a blur when I try to think back to ten years ago. I know that after some time, maybe after Derek was born, we got to know each other better. When I think of her, I think of so many adjectives to describe her personality. She was so brave, beautiful, encouraging, and so very happy. It was always so easy to be around her. Our conversations just flowed, even if we had not seen each other for months. I don’t recall a time when she complained about being sick. When we talked about it, she always made you feel like she was going to be all right. That was Michele! She didn’t want anyone to worry about her. That’s what makes her so different from anyone I’ve ever known. I will miss our weekend visits, random text messages, and, most of all, her smile. It’s amazing how a person can have such a strong impact on one’s life. That was Michele, and I’m so grateful to have had her as a friend.

-Cheryl Hanvey

This is very hard to put into words, but I’m going to try. I have known Mike since I was five years old. He moved to Florida right after high school, but we have always stayed in touch as friends. One day, he called me and said, It happened. I met her. I asked, Who? and he said, The one.  At first, I was thinking, "Yeah, yeah, he’s 19; give me a break."  But, it was true. Mike met the love of his life, Michele. He had to come to New York for a wedding, and that was the first time I met her. Actually, I did her hair and makeup for the wedding, and she looked gorgeous! She was the absolute sweetest girl ever. I loved her right away.

We didn’t spend much time together because I still lived in New York. One day, they both called me, asking me to be at their wedding. I was so honored and couldn’t believe she picked me. Over twenty-four years, I visited a few times from New York but didn’t really see them that much. One day, Mike texted me and offered me a job in Florida. I took it and moved down. Michele was so excited for me to come, and it was great once I got there. We did so much together for two months, and it was as if I lived in Florida for years. But I didn’t have enough time with her. It’s not fair. She was the most positive, genuine person I’ve ever known. I promise her to always be there for Mike and the kids, no matter what. I miss and love you, Michele.

-Stephanie Rao

I met Michele in 2016. Our husbands grew up together and are like brothers. Not too long after Michele and I met, we became family. In 2016, my husband, our daughter, and I went to visit the Fuggetta in Florida. We stayed in their home. It was the first time I had met them, and at first, I felt weird staying with my husband’s friends, whom I had never met. But the second I met Michele, she welcomed me with open arms. She was so full of life and beautiful inside and out. We had so much fun together, sitting by the pool with a glass of wine and going out to dinner. We all talked for hours, laughed, and had a good time, even just sitting in the backyard. Michele was the strongest person I know. She just loved her life to the fullest. Michele and her family came to New York during Christmas a few times, and they stayed with us for a few days. It was always so much fun. The kids played, and we would have dinner and just all hangout.

Michele and I went to Pampered Chef parties that she got me into. We went to look at model homes in Florida when I was moving there. We liked going to look; she was always up to do something. My last memory of her was watching the movie "A Star Is Born." Now, every time I hear the Lady Gaga song with Bradley Cooper, I think of her. She and I sat on the couch crying like babies while we watched that movie, and we laughed at each other for crying. Michele was always so fun to be around and so full of energy, no matter what she was going through. I loved her dearly and miss her. She was an amazing mom and wife to her family and a great friend. Michele was not only a good friend; she was family.

Introduction

November 2020

I held your hand, wrapped the rosary beads between your fingers, and with my other hand, I reached up to play with your hair, which was spread around your head on the edges of the pillow. You were sedated and on a ventilator to breathe.

It seemed to me that I had been in this position, with one of my hands on yours and the other stroking your hair, for weeks, but it had only been a couple of days. I talked to you incessantly as I sat by your hospital bedside. I told you not to give up; I asked you to continue your fight. I said I loved you, over and over, and made sure you knew that everyone was praying for you. As the days went on, the doctors became less optimistic. I could tell they were trying to prepare me, that the end of your fight was near. At first, I refused to give up hope, but over time, I realized all too clearly how hard the fight you were up against was. It hit me that you had been fighting for so long. 

A priest came into the room to say a prayer with me, and one of the nurses joined us as we stood and prayed by your bedside. Because of hospital regulations put in place around the coronavirus, the staff made me leave your room each night; I really wanted to stay but had to go. On top of everything else, it was unfathomable to have to deal with Covid restrictions; it was beyond unfathomable. Each morning, I came back to the hospital as soon as I could to be with you for every possible moment. As soon as I got to your room, I took your hand back; holding it helped me. It made it easier to believe in the glimmers of hope the nurses tried to give me. Every morning, I could tell you had spent the night before fighting. Each day, the doctors said you had taken yet a further turn for the worse. I knew they were trying to prepare me to let you go. 

I knew I had to start to say goodbye, but how could I? I finally knelt by your side and recited The Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary. Prior to saying these prayers, I set a portrait of you on the windowsill; it was the portrait that Alyssa drew. I set it flat against the windowsill. When I finished the prayers, I stood up and reached for my water bottle. As I did, I noticed that your portrait had somehow shifted and was now angled toward you rather than pressing flat against the window. How had that happened? Was it you giving me a sign? Was it God? An Angel? It seemed clear we were not alone in that room. 

Soon after, the nursing staff instructed me that I could bring the kids up to say their goodbyes to you. When we came back to the hospital, both Alyssa and Nicholas came in and said, I love you. Each of them kissed you on the head. Then, doctors strongly suggested that it was time to let you go; it was late Tuesday afternoon. They were asking me to allow them to take you off the ventilator. They also would take you off the kidney dialysis machine and any sedative medications. You would be kept on pain medication, though, and would remain on that until you were gone.

By that point, you had been put through so many tests and so many blood transfusions. You’d been on all kinds of