Please note: This essay is dedicated in loving memory to Candi Maio.

Vibrant, charismatic, lover of life and giver of joy; her name, Candida Maio but everyone knew her as Candi. She greeted this world on February 17, 1933 and was born into eternal love on Jan 10, 2016.

Perhaps, it was because she was the mother of
my best friend since childhood, or that she shared the same birthday as my mom, or that grand open heart of hers, but no doubt… because she loved me that I thought of as my second mom.

Candi’s vivacious personality exuded warmth with a robust laugh that affirmed her love of life and of people. Anyone in Candi’s sphere was influenced by her positive energy. She was generous in fun and you naturally felt good in her presence. She was genuinely interested in how you were doing and she connected instantly with people in a bond that lasted a lifetime.

In 1981, Susan, Candi and Matt & Alex traveled cross country in a motor home from New York to
CA (and Pickles from Oregon) to attend my wedding! What a gift of loving friends and family!

Yet, I will never forget the spiritual support Candi offered me during my late teens. You see, I was faced an important decision and I struggled over a dilemma. I confided in Candi and she told me that whenever she needed guidance she opened the bible to a random page and God answered. She suggested I might give it a try, I prayed earnestly, opened the book and to my amazement the answer was clear.

In later years, Alzheimer’s stole much of Candi’s memory along with her life but sparkles of Candy’s beautiful essence endured. Susan’s devotion to her mom was unsurpassed and she did all in her power to see that her mom was nurtured in love. Candi loved Frank Sinatra and Susan would engage her by playing all her favorite tunes. Candi would come alive in these happy moments, singing, whistling and tapping her feet.

Perhaps, I should not mention, but a year ago August, my mom entered her last phase of life. One night, while I was in the depths of despair, Susan instinctively called me.  My dilemma was to decide when to go home again so that I could be by her side in the end. As we talked, I remembered what Candi had told me all those years before.

The next morning, I opened to a random page in the Good Book but the Genesis passage did not resonate. I tried again and opened to another page but still no inkling. Disappointed, I closed the book when a sudden of wave of peace spread over me. My answer came, and I booked a flight home that same day. It was not until sometime later that I realized the connection between the birth of the universe and my own birth Mother, the sign I needed was there all along…

The night before Candi died Susan said to her mom, “I love you.” and in a moment of clarity, Candi responded, “I love you more.”   The next day was cold, grey and dreary.  The rain poured down from the heavens in mourning. Shortly before Candi took her last breath, the rained stopped and the clouds opened to reveal a double rainbow. I've heard tell that the meaning of a double rainbow is transformation. The first rainbow symbolizes the earthly plane and the second the spiritual realm. Candi may not have been able to tell us in words but her heart surely sang out to us.

With love and gratitude for one so true.

Liz Sorensen Wessel

Rainbow Photo-Internet image