When I heard the sad news on Monday that Ignazio’s father passed away, I was shocked! It was so sudden. And of course, I immediately thought about Ignazio and his family and my heart went out to them.

Life is so short and, just when it seems all is right, it’s over! It doesn’t always happen that way but when it does, it creates a silence in us that is almost deafening. Everything goes away and sorrow takes its place!  There’s no trying to explain it. If we could, we would know the secret of life. So, we try to do what we can to help the people we love. And that’s what Fabio did!

When I saw the Heart on BOIN, I thought about Ignazio and Fabio. They have been friends since they were teenagers. I’m sure Fabio was hurting for his friend. He was feeling Ignazio’s pain.  I believe Fabio needed to do something. And he did what he does best, he expressed his feelings in art.

Look up! That’s Ignazio’s heart. Fabio drew it and then he noticed there was a break in it and, he felt the pain. He immediately drew a Little Band-aid and said, “God please help my friend, he’s in pain!” And for a few moments, Ignazio’s pain was alleviated. Then he thought, the pain will come back and he still will be very sad. Maybe some friends can cheer him up! So, he sent that beautiful Heart to all of us. What was touching about the Heart was the Little Band-aid in the middle. It spoke volumes! It said my, friend, Ignazio is in pain and he is very sad.

I understood what needed to be done! I took the Heart with the Little Band-aid and I sent it with a message to Ignazio friends, you, the fans to let you know he needed our help! And suddenly the break in the Heart began to close. The Little Band-aids were helping the pain.

The space in Ignazio’s heart was rapidly filling with beautiful

expressions of love to comfort him in his time of sorrow.

We are at his side, in prayer, and we will remain with

him for as long as he needs us!

Yes, the Little Band-aids are there but, you can’t see them. They’re invisible! They’re called Words!

When all of you received the message, you immediately responded!  This has been going on for days! Even, now, messages are coming in from around the world on Facebook, Messenger and Instagram! Not hundreds, not thousands but, tens of thousands!  And that’s just what came to me! Messages expressing condolences, sympathy, prayers!  Please send our Condolences to Ignazio and his family. Please send our deepest Sympathy to the family. Please let Ignazio know “we are praying for the family.”

All those tens of thousands of Little Band-aids you sent, they are there on Ignazio’s Heart and they are easing the pain.

We found out Ignazio is a Lion, a very courageous young man. Just listen to his very emotional performance of “Your Love” at Sanremo. Vito that was for you! Amazing strength!  And I must say some of that courage and strength came from all of you.  Remember those six little words you said?  “We are praying for the family!” They gave Ignazio the strength and courage to follow a path he never followed before. Your prayers were with him all the way.

But what will happen with the Little Band-aids? Will they ever go away? Soon, soon the pain will begin to subside and, the Little Band-aids will take on a new role. They will become Memories which Ignazio will store away for those days when he is sad and needs some comfort. Then he will reach into his beautiful head and pull out a wonderful memory!

Now, Ignazio has become the man of the house and we know he will be “a rock” for those beautiful ladies, mom Caterina and sister, Nina!

I would love to be able to reply to all of you, personally, to thank you for all those, beautiful expression of love, which were so important to Ignazio and his family. The fans are an important part of Ignazio’s life. I’ve come to know many of you personally. You are Ignazio’s family and my family because we are all one family, the Il Volo family. And I know Ignazio appreciates what each and every one of you did for him this week. The time you took to write your words of love and all your prayers for his family. He will hold them in his heart forever.

Yesterday, Vito was laid to rest! More than ever the family needs your prayers! Please continue to keep Ignazio close to your heart and in your prayers!

I want to thank Fabio for sending us Ignazio’s Heart so we could alleviate some of the pain and share our love with him.

 

Credit to owners of all illustrations and video.