Did I really, truly live there? Did I really fling open the shutters each morning to the quintessential Tuscan countryside of rolling hills, lush vines and old farmhouses dotting the landscape? If I squeeze my eyes tight and play memories on my eyelids, will I be there?
Opening the Shutters
Casey, the night before we left, cried and sobbed and held tight to furniture saying he wouldn’t leave. I wanted to do the same but had to be the grown-up, providing the pain of reality. Sleep was hard for all of us that night.
That morning we left at
Before Leaving Viticcio
Look Close--How High Can You Count?
I was afraid that we would have problems at check-in with our four luggage carts in tow—each piled high. Although I had checked several times with both Lufthansa and United, I still thought the check in person would not understand the rules. But—we were pleasantly surprised when the young man who waited on us had no problem. We needed to pay for two of the pieces but that was cheaper than shipping.
Beginning of Awareness
Check-in Line
Once that was done, it was time for goodbyes—that instant when it all became real. Saying goodbye to Alessandro was hard for Ken and I but nothing compared to the pain Casey and Camilla were experiencing. They are so young that they haven’t had experience in hurting. They stood with the widest, most forlorn eyes—just staring into the other. I thought my heart would break watching them. They hugged tightly—just squeezing the other close. It was an emotional moment.
So—our tomorows are over. We loved them. What will we do domani? Where shall we drive? What will we see? What’s going on in the piazza? What flavors of gelati will there be? How will the vines have changed? What will the sunset be? Each day was new and different—something to anticipate and enjoy. But, now they are no more.
Ken asked me yesterday if I was ready to go back. If it were easy to do, the three of us would be on the plane—domani..
16 comments:
Jane - as much as it must be achingly painful to be home - you did have a wonderful year that many could only dream of. Cherish the good memories and make many more!
Jerry, you are so right! I need to remember that. And home does have advantages--no gloves in the market, no ZTL's, corn-on-cob, a big refrigerator--plus, my son.
I suppose it is the classic 'mind over heart pull'. Your heart tugs you back to Italy while your mind tells you that this is all for the good. For me I know which one would win out! LOL
My wife and I are returning to the US from Italy after 6 years. Did you have any problems going through US customs with all your bags. We will be taking our maximum plus a couple extra big bags.
Jane, you have given each of us so much this past year. I cannot thank you enough for the adventures you have shared, the joys and exhilaration of discovery, the beauty of the land, all your photos so lovely, and watching each of you grow in your love for the country, the people and the journey. There will be so much more magic to come...it is not over. You have been a joy to read and I will dearly miss that connection but thank you so much for sharing this past year with each of us. Your words have touched so many. It's been so much fun please do keep posting as we want to watch Casey grow up and hear about the further adventures of Jane and Ken and Casey.
Charlie, 6 years--I wonder what your thoughts are on returning. No, we had no problem at all, in fact, customs was basically closed down by the time we went through. If we had arrived at a different time of day, perhaps it would have been different. You will be taking exactly what we did. Get a porter to help you and he just pushes the cart through. If you have more questions, my e-mail is jlparke@gmail.com
Jane,
I'm sobbing...AGAIN! You gave Casey the greatest year, and Italy will be all that you remember when you go back. What cannot change now is how you will live more"Italian" in San Diego! The other good news is we'll get to see you more often!
Barb, you bring tears. Thank you for letting me know how much you have enjoyed our adventure and the blog. I feel deeply complimented by your words. Yes, I will continue to write but not sure exactly how. I tried to do one entry a week but don't think my life will be that interesting to share now--except for Casey. Do you know how to subscribe to Bloglines or other service that automatically lets you know when a new blog entry goes up? Think I will explain that on the blog. Be sure to keep up with Casey's blog as I am going to encourage him in that.
Palma, friend--see you soon!
Dear Jane, Ken and Casey:
I have followed your journey thru your blog and expat italy; however I never made any comments. I am glad you are home safe. What a wonderful lifetime experience! These memories will be with you forever, cherish them. Casey had an apportunity that not many children in this country will ever have. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey, I enjoyed reading your blog.
Sandra
brazitalian8984@att.net
Sandra, I have always wondered about the blog readers--it is so nice now to hear from some of you. Thank you for following our adventures and for enjoying them and for letting me know that.
Welcome back to San Diego! I can only imagine how hard it must have been to leave your Italian life. At least you have America's finest city to come home to!
Hi Jane, how heartbreaking to read this and to think that I never got to see you on this side of the atlantic. I remember when I went to say goodbye to my husband, already ex and my jack russell. My new french boyfriend (friend of 20 years before) was waiting for me in the car with all my most urgent belongings in it waiting to take me to Paris.
I saw my dog belly up crying and my ex crying. I felt like I was splitting in two, 21 years of Tuscany. My past and my future were there it was a physical sensation. It was two months before I got to go back but my consolation that it is close and one day i might live there again. At least once a month I can go.
I feel for you!!!
Angie
Jane,
Glad to hear you mad it home safely. I know it was hard to leave but hopefully you'll be back soon and often. It was great to see you all again at the Assisi GTG. Since then we've learned that we'll be returning too, to the DC area in late September or early October, after almost eight years in Europe. I'm sure it will be a big adjustment! Take care and we'll hopefully see you in Savannah.
Kevin & Kim
Dear Jane,
I am so lucky that I was at your table at the July get together in Assisi. I was deeply touched by your story and by what you are doing for Casey. Your writing is extremely beautiful and meaningful...and poetic - the way you capture the magic in even the everyday gestures of throwing open a shutter onto the Tuscan or Umbria countryside, of checking out what's going on in the piazza, or simply admiring the sunsets. I KNOW what you are talking about and am SO FORTUNATE to be able to live these moments every day and to see them with "occhi nuovi", something I wrote about in my blog. The perspective Casey has gained from his year in Greve will serve him well his entire life. He is an extraordinary young, but so mature, guy. I look forward to seeing you again next summer. We MUST have more time together - I would treasure that. Please feel free to use my private email: expat1628@yahoo.com
Shelly--(I think that is who you are). I enjoyed meeting you, too and yes, we will try to see more of each other when we come back. Thanks for the nice words about the entry. It is so much easier to write about Italy than the US. Italy just brings out pretty words and thoughts.
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