Keeping in touch with my Italian roots has always been a big part of my life. My mom taught my siblings and I Italian as our first language and we spend every summer in Tuscany. Our family visits relatives and famous sights, enjoys the exceptional food selections, and relaxes on the many picturesque beaches. I know the streets of our little town like the back of my hand. I love the colors, the language, and the people. The culture and lifestyle embrace me and make me feel at home. Each place and little tradition, like riding our bikes to buy chocolate crostata from the city nearby, remind me of all the times spent with my grandma before she passed away. She would always await our arrival patiently and go out of her way to be assured that we were having the best summer possible. The vivid memories of her loving actions make each experience all the more special.
Some of the best times of my entire life took place in Italy. I feel very fortunate to be able to go on these trips and feel very connected to my ancestral history. All of my experiences there have a very special place in my heart. It is not often recognized how important it is to learn and appreciate your culture. It gives you a whole new outlook on life and helps you meet many people with similar interests and traditions. I can’t imagine how my life would be if my mom hadn’t exposed us to this part of our heritage, and I hope to be able to share it with the future generations of my family.
