Hello, my name is Carriane and I was blessed to have Helen Gravante to call my godmother. Most children don’t get to choose, who they want as their godparents, but I did. Boy did I ever make the right choice.

I first met Helen back in the summer of 1979. I was walking out of Sam’s store on 36th Street in our old neighborhood of Brighton Park and I saw a skinny girl with long braids trying to ride a bike. This girl was Tina. She was having trouble stopping, so I started showing her how to use the break.

Next thing I know we are in front of Tina’s house and her mom came outside. She asked me where I lived. Then we all walked to my house and she introduced herself to my mother and that in all honesty, was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Throughout my childhood and early adolescent years I can’t ever remember a Christmas, Easter, fourth of July, or Thanksgiving that our families did not spend together. We even went on vacation together. Just last week I was having a conversation with my daughter about, which Star Wars movie was our favorite. My daughter choose the first one and I said mine was “The Empire Strikes Back.” My mind immediately brought me back to the day that we went with Helen and her family to see it at Ford City Mall (that was a huge deal) for the first time. I know in my heart of hearts, I probably would not have gone to see that movie, if it weren’t for her. The endless pool parties, sitting on the front porch, putting on talent shows, and popcorn movie nights. They were one of the first families to have On TV and we saw Grease. “How cool is that!”

We went everywhere in that Woody Station Wagon! “Stick together girls!” She would say whenever we would go somewhere without an adult.

But of all those things that we did together as families does not even come close to what Helen meant to me. Every time I was sick had strep, a burn, a toothache, or any kind of illness she was there to help treat me and lend a helping hand. And not just through the times that I was sick or in need, but during the times I made accomplishments. She was there for my baptism, first communion, confirmation, graduation. She always let me know how much she loved me. When Helen loved you, you knew. There was no question. She would move mountains, if she could to help the ones she loved.

I am so lucky that woman walked into my life. She made a huge impact on who I am today. She once told me after I had grown into adulthood “I’m proud of you. You have a good head on your shoulders. That meant the world to me.

I am just one of the many people she made feel special and touched their hearts throughout the years. As much as my heart is breaking right now, knowing I won’t ever see her again. I have to say I will take comfort knowing that “Hawkeye Helen” is going to be watching over me from heaven.