God sometimes gives us unexpected gifts. Our gift has been a grandson who enlivens our lives and makes retirement very different than the one we anticipated. He is a special joy. And that's "Casey." In 2006 we fulfilled our dream of living in Italy for a year. It was every bit as wonderful as anticipated. This blog begins in 2005 as we prepared for that experience. Since then we have explored many places together. That's the "Travel." And finally, I am a person of opinions--spiritually, politically, on just about anything and that's the "Other Stuff." Welcome to my blog.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Bringing a Smile




For those of you who have followed Casey's on-again--off-again fears about moving to Italy and going to an Italian school, this will come as welcome news.

This week he received a stupendous package from the sculoa (school) in Greve, giving ample evidence that he is in for a wonderful experience. We and he are most fortunate to have found and selected this location when there are so many that beckon the dreamer. Not surprisingly, God has answered our prayers that above all other considerations Casey's needs be foremost and that he be protected and not harmed by our decison to follow a long-held dream.

Included in the package was a welcoming letter from the children signed by each one, a picture of the class, the two summer workbooks that Italian children take home in order not to lose the previous year's learning--matematica and lingua books and the school calendar for next year.

The books will allow him to do some appropriate school work over the summer and help his adjustment to text books in italian in the fall. He was very excited to receive them and has been completing several pages each day. Ken and I are able to help with the matematica book and his tutor Cami helps with the lingua excercise.

Camilla and her mother, Nicoletta (our landlord), included a second letter saying they would help him with the work once we get there. Since we will be there 6 weeks before the start of school, Casey will have time to learn and practice his new language--which we are assured will be picked up easily and rapidly. (Now--Ken and I are another story entirely.) A few days of playing in the pool together should make Camilla and Casey best friends and language should be bridged quickly.

So--I just wanted to say Casey is going to be OK and his fears seem to have abated--for a while, at least. God is good.

Footnote: Casey turned 8 this week and thinks he is now quite grown up--and I must say, 8 does seem to mark the change from little boy to growing up boy, even in my eyes. Tomorrow we are having a big swim/barbecue birthday party--another day of our hobnobing with our unexpected peer group--parents of growing children. Life is so very strange.

2 comments:

Judith in Umbria said...

I find myself wondering why you and Ken can't get into a language book for 8 year olds! Sounds like a good start to me.

Jane said...

Judith--truth be told--I do do some with him but for language it is a lot better for him to be working with someone who knows what they are doing--now with math, 2+2 is 4--Italian or English (magari?).
A presto!