Wonderful story (as usual). I visited Roccamonfina with my parents in 1968 and , like you, was struck by the family members' resemblances to my family. Their daughter looked so much like my sister! They also made us a wonderful lunch with no advanced notice! And we left with two large rounds of homemade bread!!!
I could almost see, feel, and smell the surroundings of your visit with relatives, thanks to your story-telling gifts. Appreciating your roots is imperative to a centered, meaningful life. I think we all imagine another life that might have been equally fulfilling, if we did "this" instead of "that" in our journey through life. Whether fate or circumstance is a mystery.
Wonderful story Ed. Deb and I will be visiting Italy in April. Reading your story has me anticipating that we will have a very different experience as we will be touring instead of visiting extended family. As it is our first time, perhaps the tour is appropriate. Still, I can feel your experience through your words. One day I hope to have a similar experience.
Michael, you'll feel it on the tour. Especially in your free time when you wander off into a neighborhood, down a small alley, find ( ask a local) a family-run trattoria and take time to speak with the people. You'll understand each other. Therein lies the culture, and the fun.
Love that story. I remember meeting Vincenzo but got to know Freddy, Joann and her sister (don’t remember her name). We visited the family in Lawrence many times. Their father Antonio looked just like grandpa.
Ed, the Italian Rick Steve's. What a beautiful journey through the family tree and very enlightening to us readers. Ed, you got a chance to brush up on your Italian and became very fluent after a few glasses of nice homemade wine. Ed, don't we all become masters of all after we have a few glasses of nice red wine? I would say si.
There is nothing like visiting family in Italy. Making facial comparisons, being welcomed with open arms (and of course food) and feeling so at home. Thanks for the return to Italy and family even if just for a moment.
Thank you, Ed. You've given me inspiration to increase my wine intake with the hope of becoming multilingual! C
You won't believe it. HaHa.
Hmmm, wondering about the effect of wine on writing . . .
Wonderful story (as usual). I visited Roccamonfina with my parents in 1968 and , like you, was struck by the family members' resemblances to my family. Their daughter looked so much like my sister! They also made us a wonderful lunch with no advanced notice! And we left with two large rounds of homemade bread!!!
For sure. Beautiful people.
And in such a beautiful town, Donna.
Another wonderful and heartwarming story from a brilliant writer! Thank you Ed…..for taking us all along on your adventures! JARx
Thank you, Joyce. Can't you just smell the roasting chestnuts in every italian piazza these days?
I could almost see, feel, and smell the surroundings of your visit with relatives, thanks to your story-telling gifts. Appreciating your roots is imperative to a centered, meaningful life. I think we all imagine another life that might have been equally fulfilling, if we did "this" instead of "that" in our journey through life. Whether fate or circumstance is a mystery.
Thank you, Larry. Yes, many of us would like another swing at decisions that came down the center of the plate and we missed.
And so we go on. There is a wonderful Italian phrase that I use often . . .Si tira avanti . . One pulls forward
Another beautiful story Dr Ed. Thank you for sharing with us 🩷
Thank you, Deb
Another fantastic story, Dr. Ed, I enjoyed your Italian.
My mouth was watering for roasted castagna….As a child we put a slit in them and put them in a coal heated oven to cook till delicious.
Sure I have had some in recent years but not the same flavor!
Thanks, Joe. You have to look for fresh chestnuts, Then slit them with the knife, gently rub with olive oil, and roast.
Thank you for the tips…now it is finding FRESH chestnuts!
Brings back memories of our family trip to Italy, each time I would ask for directions, the answer was always "sempre diritto " Heart warming story.
Yes, Yes, sempre diritto.
Thanks for your kind comment.
To myself
Wonderful and tender
Yes, a very emotional visit, Roger.
Beautiful story! Thank you for that "experience".
Thank you!
Wonderful story Ed. Deb and I will be visiting Italy in April. Reading your story has me anticipating that we will have a very different experience as we will be touring instead of visiting extended family. As it is our first time, perhaps the tour is appropriate. Still, I can feel your experience through your words. One day I hope to have a similar experience.
Michael, you'll feel it on the tour. Especially in your free time when you wander off into a neighborhood, down a small alley, find ( ask a local) a family-run trattoria and take time to speak with the people. You'll understand each other. Therein lies the culture, and the fun.
Love that story. I remember meeting Vincenzo but got to know Freddy, Joann and her sister (don’t remember her name). We visited the family in Lawrence many times. Their father Antonio looked just like grandpa.
I missed those visits, though I went up to visit Freddie once.
And you remember the reunion at The Metacomet CC
Ed, the Italian Rick Steve's. What a beautiful journey through the family tree and very enlightening to us readers. Ed, you got a chance to brush up on your Italian and became very fluent after a few glasses of nice homemade wine. Ed, don't we all become masters of all after we have a few glasses of nice red wine? I would say si.
Thanks, Peter. Oh yes, the wine loosened our tongues.
"Si?" That's as far as you got? You needed more wine.
A very heartwarming story.
Just heard from a friend in Rome. They're roasting them on every corner. Mmmm
My grandmother had an oil stove in her kitchen. We would roast chestnuts on top. Memories.
Ed what a Beautiful Story. Is RoccaMonfino anywhere near RoccaSecca. My Grandparents and My Mom were born there. I know it is near Caserta.
My Mom always made chestnuts near the holidays.
I absolutely loved reading this story this morning.
Roccamonfina is just north of Naples. I'll check the map regarding Rocca Secca. My guess is that it is not far
Roccasecca is 60 km, about 40 miles north of Roccamonfina
There is nothing like visiting family in Italy. Making facial comparisons, being welcomed with open arms (and of course food) and feeling so at home. Thanks for the return to Italy and family even if just for a moment.
Yes, Ron. The visits are very emotional.