The Value Of Family
Posted on 05 October 2008 by Natalie
During my first year in high school (at 14 years old) I was able to meet some of my other cousins while visiting Rome. Luna (at the time 15 years old) and Jada (11) were so beautiful and fun. They took us to a tiny authentic restaurant where they personally knew the owners. They began to teach me the importance of getting off the beaten path while in another country. Don’t just eat where tourist eat. Be adventurous, go down a few unmarked streets with your Italian cousins, duck through a small wooden door and taste the amazing food on the other side. Needless to say, it felt incredible. I have hip, cool family in Italy and they are fun and adventurous.
Now, ten years later,as a grown woman, I was able to introduce my husband to Sabrina and Fabricio during our second evening in Rome. “Justin, these were the kids, well adults now, Fabricio (20) is now engaged and all, but I played with them at my grandma’s we swam together!”
Family holds value that cannot be measured with money or possessions. I am now able to recognize this on a whole new level. How do you place a value on spending a day with your grandma in the town she was born and grew up in? How does one comprehend creating the feeling only Christmas can bring by simply showing up? I cannot express how fortunate I am for having the opportunity to meet aunts, uncles and tons of relatives in Bagnoli del Trigno. It will be a day I will never forget. The best way to describe the joy that we experienced, is by the fact that my mother burst into tears of joy at 12 different times throughout the day.
Luna and Jada even went home (to Bagnoli) for the weekend to make wine with their dad (my uncle Basilio). So, I was able to once again spend time with my two awesome cousins now in their twenties. I do hope that we are able to meet up every decade or so. They are very special to me.
So now I sit, looking out a castle window gazing out into the Italian countryside, wondering why would anyone ever leave this? But if my grandma and grandpa had not been in America, I would not exist…
To be a woman traveling back to Italy with my grandparents considering the sacrifice and hardship they endured to make it in America, start a successful business, and all of their accomplishments. I know why they did it. It was for family!
The one strongest most motivating factor was the love that only family creates and offers.
I have translated what my Great Aunt Peurina said to us in Bagnoli, “I feel so rich, because I have all of my family here.”
She helped me comprehend the value of family a little more that day.
Good post Natalie. I wish I too had Italian cousins I could go exploring Rome with, that would be pretty fab. How do you say what your great aunt said in Italian?
Also! I hope you have an awesome time in Bagnoli, and that your brothers wedding is beautiful. Miss you guys.
Ciao bella!
So does this mean you will starting your own family asap?
J/K!
Go to the gelateria around the corner from the pantheon. It is worth it! Ask you hostel…
Paul, if you ever want to go to Rome, I can give you my cousins email addresses.
As for Aunt Peurina, she said something like, “Con tutta la famiglia, sento ricco.”
Philip is getting married on Thursday and I am sure it will be beautiful.
Sarah, thanks for the gelato advice. We have left Roma and I have lost the opportunity for gelato near the Pantheon. However, today we are in Firenze (Florence) and I plan on making my way to Gelateria Vivoli next. I’ve heard they have the best assortment of flavors, like fig and orange chocolate. We’ll see.
I’m with my mom…she says, “hi!”
@Natalie – Thanks Natalie
We had a great time in Bagnoli!
I really hope to see you again before too long!
Ciao, bacio
I really enjoyed meeting you Luna. Natalie and I hope to spend time with you and Jada in the future.
Il mio cugina favorito! (My favorite cousin!)
Luna, I had a great time hanging out. I will look forward to seeing you again too!
Ciao!
Of all the dreams in my life, my visit to Bagnoli came true. But, experiencing it with my parents, husband and four children was indescribable. The room in the home my mother was born in, the cellar my grandpa made wine in, the castle ruins, the saint buried in the side of the hill, the cats wondering, the snails my mother used to roast on the fire and eat, the dinner table for 25 and the scuttone! Life is Beautiful.
Natalie,
My husband and I went to Italy for our honeymoon a year ago in October 2007. We too went to Bagnoli del Trigno where my Grandparents also come from. I thought it was beautiful and it was so wonderful to be able to see the house my grandfather grew up in and where my great-grandfather lived
Wow what incredible similarities! Bagnoli is just so small and cozy, it’s easy to love. I can only imagine it was difficult for our grandparents to leave. It’s remarkable that we have such similar family backgrounds. Hope you enjoy the Bagnoli photos in the gallery.
Really wish I was better at keeping up with your Blog! Just reading about Bagnoli makes me want to go back for a visit! I am so sorry about Justin’s dad, and have all of you in my prayers. Please give me a call when you get a chance…I would love to see you two soon…maybe we can do breakfast?
Love,
Aunt Linda
Thanks Aunt Linda. Bagnoli is a wonderful place because of family. I am currently at the hospital, but we would love to get together with you soon. Thanks for all of your love and support.