The little nonna

January 12, 2021

“Kindness makes you the most beautiful person in the world no matter what you look like. ”

— Unknown

Tonight as I watch the colors of the sun set behind the trees I see the woman I now call in my head “my little nonna” Her black silhouette pops out onto the balcony and she places a piece of laundry to hang high above the world below. She clips it carefully and it begins to tossle back and forth in the evening breeze. She disappears inside only to slip back out, this time the broom is silhouetted across her body. She makes a few sweeps and completes her duties.

It is lovely to watch her and the black shadows remind me that it doesn’t matter what your color, your race, your ethnicity because in the night we are all the same.

I was reminded of how for many people in this world, they do not receive the comfort and kindness that should be bestowed. The opinion that the color of your skin represents who one is as a person continues to flabbergast me internally. It saddens me that many of my friends feel the snubs of the world based on such things as the color of their skin.

As I watched my little nonna tonight I thought how all of us are like dark shadows, silhouettes, who can be loved, who are valued and it doesn’t matter where we come from, what we look like, but only that we maintain a constancy in giving of kindness towards one another. It seems so simple, and yet for some, it is so complicated.

One step at a time and things will change. I look forward to continuing to being a part of the continued process in bringing a little bit of hope to others that change will happen thanks to God.

Goodnight to all of the nonna’s and nonno’s out there who are sweeping their balconies and hanging their laundry, you have no idea how you may be inspiring someone.

Buona notte from Italy

Lazy weekend afternoons

October 11, 2020

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart.”

— Helen Keller

Today the sun and heat has died down a bit and the breeze is coming in through the window as I write. My onions are caramelizing slowly in the kitchen and every now and then the smell of sweetness passes under my nose.

It’s a quiet day, with the hairdresser next door being closed. Typically talking echoes off the tile floor loud enough to penetrate my closed front door and filter in through my open window. There occasionally women stand outside with liquid color that has been painted onto their heads and plastic pink sheaths wrapped around their shoulders. They speak privately on the telephone, but with such emphasis that the conversation becomes not just between two people but the neighborhood population.

I find the chitter chatter soothing most days, I don’t know why. Perhaps it is because I do not fully comprehend the language or maybe because it fills the moments with background noise. It is similar to leaving a television on, but without paying for the electricity.

Today, however, I am happy to listen to the breeze and have the slow soft jazz music in the background. I am looking forward to my evening walk along the river when it cools down and the sun sets over the river.

During this time of solitude one must find joy in every moment. Reaching out for the moments that one has to reflect, to find goodness in others, and to not be shaken by silence.

“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.”

— Helen Keller

The carmelized onions are finished and their sweet taste lingers like the silence I am surrounded by today. It is time to eat. The next best part of the day after the lazy solitude. Until next time.

May your weekend be filled with quiet if you search for it, people because it brings you joy, or a lazy afternoon of time to just be you.

How did you spend your weekend? Comment below…

Ciao from Italy,

-jc

Patience and Photocopies

September 14, 2020

““In order to write about life first you must live it.””

— Ernest Hemingway

When all is said and done living in Italy is amazing. That’s not to say that everyday is simple and easy.

It’s an experience, or one could say a mini daily adventure. From the smallest item of learning how to say paper towels, (they use a brand name Scotex, similar to how one in the USA would say Kleenex or Bandaid, did you even realize you were saying a brand and not the actual name of the item?) to the big things like getting your paperwork completed to stay in the country legally.

Last week, I mastered my fear of going out into the world and trying to make photocopies. Yes, you read that correctly, photocopies.

Before leaving, I memorized the phrase on how to ask: “Do you make photocopies here?”.

However as usually happens a few more questions were asked and I began to get lost in the shuffle of the language, similar to a tourist entering the subway system of New York for the first time. Maybe it’s nerves, but I think my mind goes blank when questions happen at rapid speed.

(Oh and did I mention we are all wearing masks, which is sooo not ideal to learn a language. It is incredible how necessary it is to see people’s mouths and hear their words more clearly when learning a second language. With a mask this is not possible. It puts a strain on the brain trying to focus on what is being said. But, regardless, during this time of Covid-19 it is important to wear a mask… so maybe I will have even more amazing skills later. )

Anyway, two nice lovely ladies tried to explain to me that I needed to go to the shop a few doors down to have my copies made. Hmm, okay, no problem. I guess I was mistaken in my understanding that they make copies. Considering my comprehension is that of a three year old it is no surprise.

I left with my little cart and headed a few doors down to the “Computer” shop. I asked the man upon entering if he made copies? The one phrase I had down pat, at least I thought anyway. “No.” This word is always very clear to understand. He pointed outside to the shop I had come from and said “foto” with a strong italian accent, along with a few other sentences I didn’t comprehend.

I was seriously confused now, but knowing I had to have the copies for my documentation visit, in a few days, I patiently thanked him and returned to the “Foto” shop again. The lovely lady once again, probably wondering what in the world was this woman doing here a second time, repeated herself and asked me how she could help.

Having learned my lesson, I pulled out the documents to show her and said my phrase again. “Do you make copies?” Oh, yes, of course. She took me into the side room and started the process for me. This time she only asked me how many copies I needed. I was like the kid whose teacher gave them a gold star for doing their homework. I was so proud, My eyes were beaming via the mask

I told her how many copies I needed and although still not sure what had transpired prior, we proceeded along. She was happy to assist me, and when all the copies were completed, the second woman once again arrived and upon seeing me, they quickly had a brief discussion (in rapid italian) and they began to explain. I had a usb stick in my hand (I realized afterwards) when I came into the shop and they thought I wanted to print something from that.

They apologized over and over but I was so happy to have understood what was finally going on I think my face said it all, even with the mask. Smiling even with the eyes is contagious. They both laughed, as did I. I paid and walked out with a new sense of confidence that I had conquered the photocopying world of Italy.

Leaving the shop, I went on to tackle my next task. Yes, I returned to my friend the Computer guy, as I did after all, still need something printed…

There are things that will always be complicated when you move to a new country. One has to be open to a new culture, be willing to learn a new language and keep in mind it takes time. Even the small things one might take for granted will be huge. But every time you make a little progress you have to pat yourself on the back because you have done it.

You are developing and mastering skills of courage and bravery in a sense. Perhaps at times you may even inspire others to reach out to do something they never thought they could do.

Because when all is said and done, pushing beyond our limits although occasionally scary, is life changing, and almost always for the better.

Comments are always welcome. My email box awaits all of you…if it is in italian though, just a little foreknowledge, it may take me a little bit longer to respond…as I am still tackling my post office and grocery store skills. ;)

Ciao from Italy