First Sandro, the father, greets me with a huge smile and welcomes me into his home. Within 24 hours of knowing me, he's offered me their house in Sienna to stay in, but since I can't this go there this summer, than I must stay there the next time I am in Italy. He is 4 years into the deaconate program for the Diocese of Milan and we go to Mass together in the mornings. If I don't go he jokes that he's disappointed because I've left him alone with all the old ladies. I tell him he better get used to it if he is becoming a Deacon! He is very witty and funny and so loving to his wife and daughters. Just think of the father from the movie Life Is Beautiful, that's Sandro.
Next, Beatrice, my host mother. Beatrice is a stay at home mom who does everything and anything for me before I've even asked. And, she is able to do it in a way that seems effortless somehow. Delicious meals every night, and such attention to detail without seeming stressed or overwhelmed. It's really quite amazing. It's as though having a stranger in her house for two isn't a burden at all, quite the opposite! It's also great to see the love between her and the children. Every night at the end of dinner her daughter sits on her lap for a few minutes and just hugs and loves on her.
Carlotta and Rebecca are their two daughters. Rebecca I have not met because she has been staying with friends in England. Right now I am enjoying staying in her room though! Carlotta is your average 9 year old. She is very involved in gymnastics and likes to dance. Although she is not in the English camp and I don't converse with her much, she always looks excited to see me when I get home from school and is very curious about the projects I'm working on at home.
Emanuela is Sandro and Beatrice's foster daughter. I wouldn't have known she was not their biological daughter if they didn't tell me. She was placed with them when she was 4 years old and has been a part of their family for the past four years. She is quite a character and in some ways well beyond her years. She has a big attitude, in good ways and sometimes in bad ways, haha. She loves English camp, especially dancing to Shakira's "Waka Waka". When she gets home from school she plays the song and teaches Carlotta all the dance moves!
After dinner my second night, Sandro brought out the guitar and the family joined him in singing a song dedicated to me :)
Beatrice and Carlotta, Sandro and Emanuela
After one of our great discussions the second or third night, Sandro said something about the wonderful friendship that will form between us. He was right. This is a beautiful family and I'm so blessed to have their friendship! I wonder if meeting this family is one of the main reasons God brought me to Italy this summer :) Also so I could visit my friend Katrina in Switzerland... but that's for another blog post! Goodnight all!
My lovely room (thank you, Rebecca :)