I have an incredible amount of happy childhood memories at our family's home in Mesagne, Italy. The house, where my mom grew up, is in a neighborhood not far from the center of town, but is also close enough to the edge of town where you can make a quick escape to the peacefulness of the surrounding farms.
When we lived in Italy, we were at this house very often to visit my nonna, my aunt, uncle and cousins and spent many Sundays and holidays around the large dining room table eating to our heart's content. Even with 18 feet tall ceilings, the rooms are comfy and give off a nice echo during fits of laughter, which there were and still are many. There is a side patio and enclosed garage where we celebrated many birthdays with streamers mixed in with the clothing line and red geraniums and basil plants lining the staircase to the roof.
The streets in front and on the side of our home are narrow, but perfect for playing soccer and volleyball with an occasional time-out for when cars are driving through. In the evenings, the sidewalks around our home are speckled with groups of women seated together gossiping and laughing about the day's events while the men stay indoors watching tv or playing cards.
Even after moving to the U.S.A. and having been back and forth a hundred times now, I never really feel like I've been gone. Everything kind of falls into sync just moments after arriving. It's a place that is constantly on my mind, will always hold a special place in my heart and chock full of memories.
our street sign
Sofia and I hanging out on the roof - Our home, much like many others in Mesagne, has a flat roof which gives you ample space for air-drying your clothes (Italians are very green in this sense)
Here comes daddy
Lisa, nonna would be soooo proud of you. We are also very proud of you, keep up the good job as a mom, a wife and a daughter.
ReplyDeleteWe love you very much!!!
God Bless you and your family always