I read Anne Frank’s diary for the first time when I was 13. It was a reading project in school and it totally overwhelmed me. I had just found out that I was part Jewish as well, a fact that had not been mentioned before by Grandmother or my family.
Tag: <span>memories</span>
I think we were poor, but I really don’t know. We always had enough food, and I had clothes; we had livestock and fields with vegetables and fruits, our pantries and the cellar were stocked with jars and cans, but money was tight. Most farmers are not rich; they are just getting by, and we were no exception.
I walked back to my seat and heard some guys behind me whistling. I had just been in the ladies room, had checked on my makeup and hair and I felt good about myself. That new, long skirt looked good on me, I was glad I had spend that money.
Once upon a time there was a girl who lived in a faraway land, where everything seemed impossible. She watched others play and laugh, while she was hiding in her room crying.
I don’t do things halfheartedly, I try my best – always- even when I make a total fool out of myself.
I was born in the alps in a small village, between Austria and Italy and the Adriatic Sea, even though it was only a 3-hour drive, seemed to be a million miles away from our farm. I had seen pictures and I couldn’t wait to see it real. Finally, we drove down toward Venice and I stood on the beach and looked at the ocean. As much as I loved the mountains, I felt drawn to the sea as well; I loved the water.
Whenever I have to say Goodbye to a friend or four-legged family member I go out and buy a plant in their memory, either for the inside or the outside. I have special orchids, rose bushes and blooming trees in memory of loved ones.
I think we all get an invisible backpack when we are born. At first we just carry it around empty, but then -just after a short while- we start to fill it up.
We fill it up with memories, experiences and feelings – all of it- the good and the bad. Over time the backpack gets heavier and weighs us downs. Then it’s time for a break, it’s time to sit down and look at our inventory.
A small bottle of Champagne is sitting in our fridge since a very long time. I can’t remember if we bought it, or if it was given to us; I just know it is stored there in the side door waiting for a special occasion.
We have some odd New Year’s traditions in our house.
I wear red underwear, because that’s what Italians do to welcome the New Year. They say it brings luck in the coming year, while my husband swears we have to eat black eye peas on New Year’s Day for luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead.