It has taken me six years to voice my feelings for Norma. I used to work with Norma at Marsh & McLennan on 6th Ave, she was one of the first people I met. I was young, and away from my family, yet I always looked forward to seeing Norma everyday and knowing that I would be able to get some motherly love. She would always tell me what a great job I was doing, and how my mom must be so proud of me. I miss Norma. I left Marsh a year or so before they moved our department to the World Trade Center, and she was one of the first people I thought of when I heard/saw the tragedy. I miss her saying ciao bella - I say that phrase all the time because of her. I make great manicotti because of her. I am a better person because of her. I miss my surrogate mom, and her talking about taking care of her mom and husband. She was a wonderful woman, words cannot express enough the impact she had on my personal and professional life. If I close my eyes, I can still see you sitting next to me at your desk, dishing out praises, love and laughter...I miss you.
Monique
