Elaine S. Restifo

Heart Home

I always had a place to go:
the home of Elaine Restifo.
The place that, with or without sin,
I was continually taken in.
and called "sweetheart",
and blessed with tea,
And encouraged to express my art.
May she have peace;
Rest, Divine
Forever within this heart of mine.
2011

Ode to Elaine
From Lisa, with Love

all I ever need to know
I learned from Elaine Restifo,
whose treatise on how one should grow old
Has worth beyond it's weight in gold!
Who''d have thought the way to bliss
was ignorance of nonsense?
or that, should I of snails have fear,
Could call upon a friend that's dear?
So I'm demented! so I'm mean!
At least I know how to be clean!
I won't miss her, if she's there;
I know she checks her underwear! (there are 1/2 sizes?!)
Bold living woman with white hair walking
I shall be silent when she's talking
lest I be " hefting mutton" one day,
And listen to what the doctors say.
Oh Bounty, thy true name is Elaine
who bravely tries to save me pain.
(2003)

Elaine and her sister Lynn and I shared our college days together at Tyler School of Fine Arts living in the same house. We became a close family with Isabel her mother and spent many years together.
Over the years we have met often and shared our hopes.. Elaine and I shared the loss of her Mother and Sisters over the years. With long talks over the phone and letters we were always on the same page. We often spoke of God's Love as we lived through the losses of our Loved Ones and made the after life an important part of our understanding. Knowing that Elaine and I shared the understanding of the continuing love and llife of our family on a higher plane I can now feel the joy of a dear friend who has joined them. Elaine, I know you can hear the voices of Christine and all the family and mine, until we meet again .Until then Elaine, you know the love we carry for you and we will be as close as a silent voice across time. I know you are now in the presence of Perfect Love, the Source of all Love -that love which St.Francis of Assisi lived and we often spoke of. Please send us your Blessings Elaine as we pray to you. Love and Prayers,
Bruno [email protected]