An elderly Italian woman enjoying some sunshine in Colle d’Anchise, a small village in the Molise region of Italy. This is the village of my grandparents. I had a nice conversation in Italian with her. She could be a distant cousin.
She was so pleasant and her smile revealed how happy she was. The simpler lifestyle in Italia seems to have its benefits.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment.
Grazie and ciao.
Thom Hickey
Grazie. There’s a lot to be said for the Italian veneration of family and respect for the elderly. I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits here this year. Many more to come! Regards Thom.
Carol
Oh if only I could relive the days talking to my grandparents at the kitchen table. So many stories and so much wisdom, I was blessed to experience those times. I visited Italy in October and visited Chieti in Abruzzo and unfortunately did not get to visit S. Croce di Magliano in Molise (both maternal grandparents were from these regions). My paternal grandparents were from Potenza, Basilicata.
margieinitaly
Carol… I find there is never enough time in Italy to do everything plus balance some time to just be in the present. That’s why there is always a reason to go back. Thank you so much for leaving a comment
Un po' di pepe
I’ll bet she walks to her orto in campagna every day and everything she eats is made by hand by herself or someone she is related to in the paese!
margieinitaly
I’m sure you are exactly right. These Italians are very sturdy and hard-working people
imarancher
Their lives are very different from the young today. The elderly of Italy suffered through a dangerous dictator that they sure paid off in spades when the opportunity arrived. They went back to their easy going (except for soccer matches) married liife that centered around the famiy and the Catholic Church. They had meaningful lives and the happy ability to put the bad years away and never revisit them. Today’s Italian youth have so many fewer opportunities for modest success than their parents had that I worry how the next 50 years will be. I wish the young would talk long and hard with their grandparents and learn the skills it takes to overcome advdersty and do it with elan.
margieinitaly
Very insightful Bonnie. We can all learn a lot from the previous generations
robpiccoli
They’re the last of the Mohicans, and you must hurry up if you don’t want to miss the opportunity to talk to some of them…
timelessitaly
She looks like she has some tales to tell, and seen a lot of life. I’ve always been intrigued by the elderly in Italy.
margieinitaly
Thank you Susan. They certainly have years of experience which translate into words of wisdom
timelessitaly
Wouldn’t you just love to spend an afternoon with them and listen to what they have to say?
Anonymous
It would be a big adjustment for me. Would like to try. Andrea Cook
margieinitaly
I hope you can go back to visit Italia soon Andrea. That lifestyle would be a major adjustment for anyone coming from the US way of life I think