Costanza

A spontaneous little girl, a sunny young woman, a wonderful friend who taught me to fight and react with all my strength to life’s injustices, always with a smile on my lips. Shining eyes, an infectious smile and incomparable strength.

Matilde Z.

When I think of Costanza, I think of happiness, life and strength. I think of how important she is to me in everyday life. I think of how much I have grown thanks to her and of the fundamental role she plays in my life. She is my best friend, the only person I am sure will stay forever. The only person who has truly known me and loves me for who I am. When I talk about her, my eyes light up and I start to smile.

She is my Love!

She is the most generous and affectionate person in the world, always putting other people’s happiness and health first. I miss her smile: it was the most beautiful thing of all, along with her shining eyes, which reflected life itself. Costy made every day better. I could not wait to see her, talk to her, hug her and let her know that she was not alone and could count on me.

She is my strength!

Although she was only a girl, she taught me and everyone who knew her never to lose courage and to fight for happiness. She loved her long brown hair, her clothes and her home. She was passionate about art: she loved painting, making collages and travelling. She dreamed of working in a travel agency. She would put together suggested travel itineraries, complete with photographs, and take them to school to show her friends.

Costanza had so many dreams, and I am sure that sooner or later she will fulfil them. I believe in her and know that she is now beside me, beside everyone who loved her, and even those who hurt her.

Costy, “Hand in hand”, do you remember?

You will always be part of me!

I love you.

Amore (Fra)

Dear Costy,

We shared such an intense journey. We laughed, sang, danced, played, had lunch and dinner, and travelled together. Anything to take our minds off the looming thought of the illness. I hoped and believed that a miracle would come… I was almost certain of it. You always fought with your great smile, even in the hardest moments. I learned so much from you… above all that life must be lived with determination and intensity, and that we must never give up. You were an example of gentleness, courage and love.

Perhaps you were among us to teach us all this. I am sure that you are in a beautiful place and are constantly watching over us. We miss you so much. There is an emptiness that can never be filled. With time we will learn to live with it, although it is truly difficult. “Il Sorriso di Costanza” will help fight the “monster” that took you away from us.

Costy… how you loved beautiful things… how you loved to travel. From now on, I will look at every beautiful thing and think of you, and I am sure that on every journey I take you will be there too.

Barbara Z.

Hello, our little star,

We remember so well the first day you came into our classroom, radiant because you were starting a new course of study and were happy to meet new people. We still remember when, during French and Latin lessons, we started singing Tiziano Ferro’s song “Lo Stadio”.

You were so happy that we were moved to tears, and wished those moments would never end. And in fact they have not ended, because your voice is in our hearts at every moment of our day. Do you know how much we love you, our amazing Costy? Yes, you do, just as you know that you are always with us and we are with you. We gave you a little ring with a star, which has a very special meaning for us.

We all have a star, and you are ours! We will never leave you! In one enormous hug that will never end.

Kisses, our little star.

Ele, Lula, Didda and Bibba

Costanza is a very special girl.

Costy has dark eyes and fair skin. Costanza likes everything, absolutely everything. She likes painting and colouring, especially ready-made drawings, because drawing is not her particular artistic gift.

Costanza likes eating, although I remember a time when she ate little but devoured food with her eyes.

Costanza loves decorations and interior design. She has wonderful taste. She likes furnishing her home and adores the picture her dad gave her for Christmas. In fact, she loves Christmas, as everyone does, but Costy even more! That is why her mum fills the house with Christmas decorations every year, from soap shaped like a Christmas bauble to the star on top of the new real fir tree on the terrace. There is also a large gnome near the entrance. It is not very Christmassy; it looks more like one of Snow White’s dwarfs or an elf, but Costanza loves it all the same.

Just think, there was a time when Costanza was not studying, and she missed it so much! Yes, Costanza likes studying too.

She loves friends, but above all company. Although each of us hopes to be her favourite companion, the one she loves most is Schizzo, the most jealous little dog and the cutest poodle.

Then I discovered something else about Costanza: lately I feel her presence wherever I go, because Costy does not just like having friends who love her; she really likes being a good friend.

Matilde G.

My little Sister,

We met when we were small, but in these last few years such a special bond developed between us that words cannot explain it.

Despite everything you were going through, you always responded with strength and courage, and above all without ever talking about your illness, because you would not have wanted to see us sad even for a second!

Your qualities are endless, Costi… your reassuring gaze, your natural princess-like bearing, your infectious laugh, your heart so generous and ready to give all the love in the world, the way you let me hug you, the way you comforted, helped and advised me.

You were always thanking me, but I am the one who should thank you for all the life lessons you gave me.

I think of you constantly, and all I can think of is beautiful things, because Costi, I associate you with the most beautiful things in life: sunsets in my favourite places, the starry mountain sky, rainbows, pure white snowflakes brushing my face, our walks in the city centre, the best restaurants, faraway journeys, all happy things.

No one loved life more than you, and you taught me to love it. So I will keep doing so for you.

With infinite love, your Sister

Carolina

Incredible, sunny, wonderful.

Someone who could convey peace and joy with a single look. A selfless person, always happy, but above all kind and always ready to help others.

Teodoro

I still remember the surprise party at Mati’s house last year, and that dazzling smile on Costy’s face gave me hope again, even though I knew about the relapse. That evening, one of the mothers came up to me and said: “Costy cares so much about you! Say something nice to her, tell her she is beautiful…” She did not know that there was no need to tell me!

I was not her loyal friend because someone suggested it or because I felt pity. Quite the opposite. With her smile and her positivity, she was the one who could change my day for the better.

Nic

Sweet Costy,

I was among the first to hold you when you were born, and I watched you grow, first into a child and then into an exceptional young woman, the light of your family’s eyes…

Your smile will never fade, and your journey will continue in the spirit of the love you always gave to everyone who had the privilege of knowing you.

Fly free, my little one, beyond time and space.

You are missed.

With love, Aunt Lalla

You were already a woman when you were little, wise and protective. I always saw something great, something immense in you, a light that came from within. I will always carry the memory of you at the seaside in Ostia, playing with Raf.

I followed your progress through your mum’s stories and rejoiced with her at all your achievements. Now you will carry out your task from up there… please do, because we all still need you so much!

Forever in my heart ❤️

Flora

Costi is the person who draws you in with her humour, light-heartedness and sweetness, and lifts your spirits when you are feeling down.

A friend you know will always be there for you, whatever happens. We have known each other since nursery school, and despite everything we have been through (so many pointless arguments and silly upsets!), she has always been there for me, through good and bad.

So it was my duty to stand beside her, make her smile and distract her when the illness struck. Through it all, she remained the Costi all her friends knew. When I invited her to Porto Ercole for a weekend, I admired her strength and determination: she swam, dived, and we even went on the banana boat!

Costi taught me a lesson I will never forget: smile whatever happens, because she was so beautiful and always smiling.

Bye Costi, I miss you so much, but I know that you are protecting me from up there.

Alice

Too little time, and far too little of my time with you. Time that I now need so desperately.

The two of us share a special bond, so obvious that it fooled people who saw us together into thinking we were mother and daughter. We were pleased, and would stay silent before explaining. What others saw in us was not just a physical resemblance, but a sense of belonging to one another. Beyond everything.

Love and belonging that remain unchanged. On my side and yours.

Forever.

Aunt Daniela.