POWER OF LOVE
Her grandmother ’ s last gift of love
inspires millions
Natalie ( inset ) was touched to learn her grandmother had kept a diary about her
Grandma Susan was thrilled to meet newborn Natalie
Natalie took her first steps with her Nana
In the solemn days following her grandmother ’ s passing , Natalie Carlomagno found solace in an unexpected treasure — a journal in which her grandmother had woven a tapestry of memories that would illuminate their beautiful relationship in ways that Natalie had never imagined
Natalie Carlomagno ’ s heart ached , when , in the fall of 2023 , her beloved 81-year-old maternal grandmother , Susan Bowden , was diagnosed with cancer that was so aggressive , there were no treatment options . Still , the 21-year-old Tallahassee , Florida , college student didn ’ t expect to lose her so quickly . But just one month later , her “ Nana ,” who also suffered from Alzheimer ’ s , passed away .
To compound the grief , Natalie ’ s grandfather died that December , after years of battling an undiagnosed illness .
Raised by a single mom , Natalie had spent countless hours at her grandparents ’ home growing up . Now , she held tightly to those precious memories .
An unbreakable bond
A lot of Natalie ’ s favorite moments as a youngster had been spent in her Nana ’ s shiny white BMW .
“ She ’ d pick me up from elementary school every day . She always had a pack of strawberry Mentos and gave me two for the ride home ,” Natalie fondly recalls .
As Natalie grew , so did the bond with her grandmother . They even remained close when Natalie , her mom and little brother moved to Marietta , Georgia . Natalie would call her grandmother every morning and they ’ d chat until the school
Courtesy Carlomagno Family ( 3 )
10 5 / 20 / 24 Woman ’ s World