“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But, that’s ok. The journey changes you. It should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind” ~Anthony Bourdain
It’s time to bring out the tables – we are having another neighborhood dinner. Not just any old neighborhood dinner, this is our “see you soon dinner”. Our neighbors, Giovanni and Alessandra asked if we were available the night before we left back for the USA. Of course we quickly said yes and both the excitement & sadness began. We expected it to be another night of laughter, mispronounced Italian words and delicious food. We certainly did not expect it to break our hearts as it did.
The day of (I was suppose to be cleaning and packing) but, we made one last trip up the mountain road to Lago Del Turano. It was a hot one and the water that day looked like an extra dose of pixie dust was squirted.The color was the most gorgeous turquoise I had ever seen. We swam, I floated on my raft, we relaxed and we thought about the memories we’ve made over the past month and 1/2. We didn’t want to leave the lake, but our last neighborhood dinner was soon awaiting.
Pizza was what’s for dinner! The pizza came in the largest box we had ever seen. The table was full of everything perfect for a hot Italian summer night; the biggest watermelon, summer salads and of course the enormous pizza. The wine was plenty and of course, Lallo’s grappa. We sat for hours enjoying the company of our neighbors and friends. We actually got to meet new neighbors who only come to their home occasionally in the summer. Carlo, Daliah and their 2 children. Their front door faces ours. Fortunately, this dinner our other neighbors Luca and Rita (who live behind us) were able to join as well. The tables were full, the conversations were going and the sun was setting. It had the making of another perfect evening.
Our neighbor Luciano brought over his homemade guitar, and soon there was live entertainment for all. Luca began singing while playing Luciano’s guitar and his sweet wife Rita stood behind joining in each harmony. Rita always appears very shy, but tonight she came out of her shell. Some traditional Italian songs were played, though we didn’t understand 1 word, we could tell from their laughter, it had to be silly and ridiculous. We loved every song more than the last.
We watched the most spectacular sunset going down before our eyes. Just behind us over the railing with the flowers & trees that leads into the valley and mountains. The sun seemed to be extra glorious that night, as if it knew it was our last night. The sky was just stunning, like a magnificent painting on display. The colors ranging from pink, yellow and orange. The sun appeared to be showing off for all to see. As we enjoyed this beautiful show, it gave the most gorgeous backdrop for some memories caught by way of fun selfies.
Enjoy the beauty of a sunset, nature’s farewell kiss for the night~ Sharon Rene
During dinner, I got to hold my precious nephew, Matteo so his mommy could get in a few quick bites. He is the absolute sweetest little guy. We walked around and looked at the flowers all while I told him how much I will miss his adorable face. I know he will be the bestest little guy for mommy until we return. I told him not to grow too much and not to forget me. Matteo, Auntie Kerri loves you to the moon and back. I miss your big curious eyes & your adorable smile. It’s already his bedtime- Soon Lida, Stephano and Matteo had to give hugs goodbye, I had to hold back the tears. Knowing the next time we are in Italy, Matteo will have changed again so much. I tried not to think about our “so-long” to this sweet family of 3. We simply adore them, and spending time together is always something special. We miss them already. I can’t think about that just yet, it’s time to take some pictures to recall this perfect night together. Quick smile, before I start crying!
“This is what I like about photographs, They are proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect” ~ Jodi Picoult
The night seemed to pass much too quickly. Before we knew it, it was getting late. Knowing we had an early morning, it would be time to head back home. How on earth will we even say “good -bye” to all of our amazing neighbors and friends. I can’t think about that just yet, it’s time to take more pictures! At this point, we are all just having a wonderful time. Perhaps the wine was making us a little bit silly, it didn’t matter. We were like a bunch of friends without a care in the world. No covid, no stress, no world events….just smiles, laughter and memories of the most wonderful evening to cherish forever & always.
Mike, Lallo and Giovanni have become the best of friends. I find so much happiness just watching their interactions. Lallo, unable to communicate with us, and we with him. Giovanni is the master translator between us all. He wears many hats, but that is a very important one! God bless Giovanni lol. We laughed some more, we hugged and we started to say our good nights. Our “see you soon” xo.
The photos we took that night, I will cherish forever. We took some group ones of all at the long table. Then we did the guys, and the one of Mike, Lallo and Giovanni is my absolute favorite. “The drinkers” lol. Next, we did the ladies….well…all the ladies and of course Lallo lol. The genuine smiles on all of our faces reveal what friendship is all about.
The fondest memories are made gathered around the table. Nothing more, nothing less. Yes, it really is that simple.
Lastly, It was time to give hugs to our favorite people. Giovanni & Alessandra, Lallo and Luciano. Our friendship with each has only continued to grow ~ despite our Italian vocabulary not so much. Alessandra promised to learn English so she could communicate better with us. We told her it was on us to learn her language, Italian. It is pretty special knowing a friendship can be so strong and yet we can’t even communicate properly (without Giovanni or google translate). Alesandra is the sweetest, kindest soul. She is the cat whisper in our village and saves kittens when needed. While we were there we witnessed a momma and her 3 kittens follow her around like their life depended on her. She’s both a fantastic baker and chef and everything she has prepared for us, has left us drooling for another bite. She has quickly become more than just a neighbor, we all feel so blessed to call her our dear friend, she and Giovanni. We couldn’t have been placed in a better spot, in our little Italian village. To say we are blessed is an understatement. Giovanni has made trips to the postale and Leroy Merlin for us. He has called and tried to assist us in a long overdue refund from LM. He has come through with every recommendation and is just a call, text or whatsapp away when needed. He is just the best there is! We appreciate him more than he will ever know.
Luciano, our new neighbor who quickly became so much more. We could sit with him for hours, and we did. Many nights were spent just listening to classic American rock music or sipping homemade fresh Italian ice he had prepared just for us. He is kind, quiet and a man with many talents. He loves to prepare something simple, yet delicious and enjoys sharing it with others. We will miss him so.
And finally Lallo. One night Mike and I invited him over to play “Gin Rummy’. Mike thought he was all great in showing Lallo how to play this somewhat easy American card game. Just a couple of neighbors who can’t communicate, but can play cards. Lallo quietly listened, didn’t say 2 words (not that we could have understood him anyway) lol. First hand…boom Lallo. Second hand….boom Lallo. Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, boom Lallo. He is now laughing as if to say “I know how to play’. It was hysterical and Giovanni picked the best nickname, Lallo Vegas. We miss everything about Lallo. His sweet smile, his smirk and his embrace. He has stolen our hearts and we can’t wait to return to see all of these familiar faces again.
Luckily for us after we said our final goodbye, or our “see you soon” we only had a few steps to walk back home. I had already planned on doing something special for each of them before we left. I had written a quick little note and brought one of my flowers off of our outdoor table and left it on the doorsteps with a little “bonjourno” Love Mike, Kerri and Kailee. I just wanted them to smile when they woke up, knowing I was missing them… we were all missing them. I felt like a little elf, on a mission to make someone smile. I stopped at Lida’s, Giovanni’s & Alesdandra’s, Luciano’s and Lallos. I Left a little note and hopefully a blooming flower, as a reminder of how special they are to us…….so very special.
Then the tears began. We were told by Giovanni that he, Alesandra and Lallo had been talking. They considered us the “glue” of the neighborhood. We brought neighbors together that had not yet even met, nor hung out. We touched their hearts enough, they considered us an important piece in our little Italian village. How incredibly amazing is that to hear. Just a couple of crazy Americans who had no clue what they were or are doing. Who can’t speak more than your basic 4-5 words, almost blocked a funeral on week 1, cut the wrong cantina lock on week 3 and yet…we are the glue. As the quote above states “You take something with you”….yes we most certainly did. We have taken a piece of all of them home with us. To remember their smiles, their kind faces and memories made together. And the ending of the quote…”hopefully you leave something good behind”…we now know we did that too. We left our love, our friendship and our presence. We left it all in a little village 5000 miles away from home. In a place that has no shopping malls, no fast food restaurants, nothing fancy or exciting. What it does have is the most welcoming, patient, kind and generous neighbors in all of Italy. We are completely blessed. Our hearts were broken to leave our best friends behind in the best place in all of Italy. See you soon friends. We love you all and count down the days until we gather around the table again.
When I finally went to bed on our last sleep 8/2/2021, I pulled out my “Jesus Calling” daily devotional. I was feeling so many different emotions and just wanting to thank God for all of this, all this gratitude in my heart. For all of these wonderful people we now call friends and for feeling so sad to leave them all. It only confirmed Jesus hand picked this perfect little village in the mountains of Poggio Nativo. We are blessed. We can’t wait to return with our children and sit together and break bread again. Through the years, I have felt lots of hurts. Lots of pain and many times, unloved. To have my heart filled up with love 5000 miles away by friends that we now consider family, is a gift from above. Thank you Jesus.
August 1: NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM MY LOVE. Let this divine assurance trickle through your mind and into your heart and soul. Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious, repeat this unconditional promise “Nothing can separate me from your love, Jesus”.
Most of mankind’s misery stems from feeling unloved. In the midst of adverse circumstances, people tend to feel that love has been withdrawn and they have been forsaken. This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the adversity itself. Be assured that I never abandon any of my children, not even temporarily. I will never leave you or forsake you. My presence watches over you continually. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
August 2: BRING ME THE SACRIFICE of your time; a most precious commodity. In this action-addicted world, few of my children take time to sit quietly in my presence. But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water. I, the one from whom all blessings flow, am also blessed by our time together. This is a deep mystery; do not try to fathom it. Instead, glorify ME by delighting in ME. Enjoy ME now and forever!
“It’s a beautiful day to go after your dreams” ~ Blessed is she.
