The day started off sunny for the first time in 4 days so I convinced Stella to go for a walk in Pietrabuona Alta, just down the hill from her place. It’s sooooo old! Though many of the houses have been abandoned for years, it is still charming with its irregular stone pathways, ancient stairways, overgrown vegetation and, of course, breathtaking views of Pietrabuona Bassa (below). It’s the size of a postage stamp, nevertheless, it has 2(!) churches, a minute apart on foot. Only a handful of residents remain, including someone I have been curious about for years. We stopped to talk with him in front of his well maintained, postcard perfect house. He and his wife are Australian and spend the summer months here and then go back to Australia to spend the summer months there. Genius.
After lunch I offered to go into town to buy Stella her newspaper. I ask where I can buy socks, since I noticed that the cute little socks shop I used to go to downtown has closed. She said Esselunga, my new favorite place. I found not just any socks but cashmere socks. Top that, Whole Foods! I’m wearing them right now, as a matter of fact.
I came across this today:
Aging is a gift, a chance to keep growing, learning and experiencing life in new ways. It’s about defying limitations and embracing the possibilities that lie ahead. So, for anyone else pondering the future, remember: It’s not about passively accepting age, it’s about actively living each day to the fullest, wrinkles and all.
It’s my new mantra.
Tonight Federico picked me up after work and we went with his family to a wonderful pizzeria near his house: his parents Maria & Vasco, his brother Emiliano with his girlfriend Giulia, and, of course, Serena, with Federico’s two boys Leone, 4, and Noah, 17 months, whom I met for the first time. I noticed that they are both blonde and Federico immediately tells me they are not his. Such a liar. Great evening!! He showed me his future house under renovation, which hopefully will be finished by December. He bought out his aunt’s share of the compound where he grew up and is modernizing/expanding to accomodate a family of 5. He wants his boys, including Serena’s son, Diego, by her first marriage to grow up there. It’s perfect.
Federico and I had a lot of time to talk in the car, we talked about Stella, he asked me point blank what I thought. I told him, and he told me that she frequently calls his office with computer problems that don’t exist. Apparently, everyone is aware. Her son arrives Wednesday. He has some very difficult conversations ahead of him.
Also in the car, Serena mentioned that, years ago, I was the first person in Federico’s family she met. I am flattered, but surely, she meant after Federico’s parents and his brother. Actually, it was true: Federico and Serena’s relationship began under controversial circumstances that angered their families. But Federico and Serena managed to weather the storm and begin a life together. I love a happy ending. Especially for Federico.