#72: Italian Neighbours
Ciao Nonni,
I hope you're well!
For many months now, our children have been firmly establishing themselves as the favourites in our family when it comes to our neighbours. Each morning we clatter down the stairs - me loaded with school bags and coats, trying to keep them from waking the dead with their excited chatter and squeals. And also still trying to stop Leo from tumbling head first as he jumps down each step.
Inevitably, at least one of our three sets of neighbours will stick their heads out their front door and wish them a good day at school. I warrant barely a glance, and usually only if one of the kids is wearing something deemed as unsuitable for the winter weather. There was almost an intervention staged a few days ago when Leo was in just a t-shirt. I had to quickly explain that his jumper and jacket were both in the garage, and that I had no intention of exposing my child to the deadly risk of colpo d'aria.
Raffy has taken to drawing pictures in the evening before dinner, and then hand delivering them to each neighbour. She has memorised how to write each of their names, and carefully addresses each one. She will disappear down the stairs, and return some minutes later, usually clutching handfuls of whatever treats they had available. These can range anywhere from plain milk biscuits and cough drops (low excitement level) through to Ferrerer Rocher or Kinder Surprise (jackpot).
After a few evenings of this, I started to suspect that Raffy was more motivated by the chocolate than the praise and adoration she received - although clearly both are willingly accepted. We made a deal, she can only say yes to the caramelle once a week. And then she can't eat it until after dinner. Happily, she took this in stride, and she keeps making her deliveries despite the new regime in force.
The other point on which I am secretly proud is that she always makes sure to ask for something for her fratellino as well ... and she even gives it to him on her return! Long may this thoughtfulness continue.
The lady who lives opposite us on the top level of the building is the most delightful human, and she is forever heaping praise on us for our gorgeous children. You'll never guess what her name is... also Maria! So we have Signora Maria su and Signoria Maria giù.
Maria su lives alone, and laments that her beloved son lives so far away. For many Italian women, a son living "too far away" could be a mere 15 minutes down the road, but in her case he is a five hour drive. Fair enough. Happily, she has many friends who visit often, including a nun in full habit. The sister, who must be at least 80, bounds up the stairs each time she arrives, with the vigour of a teenager.
David was returning home with Raffy a few days ago as Maria and her friend the nun were leaving. Raffy was uncharacteristically shy, despite a very friendly greeting. When they were safely inside with the door closed, the questions began. David did his best until I got home shortly after, and then promptly handballed the topic to me. I also tried, but crumbled under the never ending stream of inquiries.
It was one of many moments when I would have loved to have you here to help!
The other major news of the past week was the visit we received from my friend Monica. In Italy for only a week for a conference in Rome, Mon still managed to find the time and energy to make her way up to stay with us for a couple of days. All four of us were delighted to have her here. Raffy especially enjoyed having a new companion for all her activities - particularly painting, playing Monopoly and watching on in awe as Mon played the piano.
I always love having friends and family come to visit, and it is especially fun when we get to show people around who visited us back in the beginning when we first arrived. In those early days, it was the blind leading the blind when it came to restaurant choices and activities to do. These days, we can truly play the role of knowledgeable tour guides. It is a lot of fun. And gives us a great excuse to visit all of our favourite places along the way. Which we certainly did with Mon!
All my love,
Kate
