The four "angels" wrote me ... to thank me - 19 april 2009
FRANCAVILLA - "We are the firefighters from Liguria that you met in L'Aquila for the evacuation of your home. We read with pleasure the beautiful words you wrote about us on Sunday's Messaggero, and for this we thank you warmly. We finished our shift and we were replaced by our colleagues who will continue to help as we did, you Aquilans. We are also sending you some pictures we took that day outside your house. We are sure that you will find a way to rise back from this terrible tragedy, we learned that you are proud people, with great dignity. You are mountain people! Good luck! Signed Renato, Daniele, Davide, Alessandro."
The letter was sent to me by e-mail, Camilla read it aloud (no need to shout for Grandma Fausta who was given back her hearing aid) with that same intonation used on great events as when, my dear girl, at Christmas she was reciting for us the poem "The Saviour is born" , standing on a chair. We four watched at one another with astounded eyes. Raffaella and me had eyes swollen with tears (we promised not to cry any more, at least not in front of Camilla): we'll never forget the courage and at the same time the kindness of those four faces stained with chalk. And now, they thank us! Renato, Daniele, Davide, Alessandro: after all, "angels" have names too. Meanwhile, Grandma Fausta now was invited for an interview on the well-known TV program "La vita in diretta". And she, with her shyness, "But aren't they crazy! No way: at 80 years old I do not think it fit!" Camilla, however, reproached her with affection: 'Grandma, it's your duty to tell other people how you saved our lives: if it wasn't for you, we would be dead, me, Mom and Dad. You are a heroine and that's why they want you on TV: it is not a game as "Amici".
Camilla is the first item, a troubling one, on the to do list since when we started the "new" life. More troubling than our daily life, which is not certainly easy. At school here in Francavilla she does not want to go, "Dad, I do not have books, they cannot test me, there are no school friends of mine: What you going to do?". Okay - I say - but in September we must start again. Yes, but where? As if to answer our concerns, Francesca calls me: "Angelo, I have not slept for three nights, but I have decided: we have enrolled Elena at the Liceo Classico here in Pescara. Sure I am not giving up, I want to rebuild the city with all my strength, but I cannot deny a future to my daughter because of my Aquilan dream. I cannot tell her she is wrong. And here comes, on time, the usual evening sms from Cesare: "There are things that we changed our lives ... not only for the worse. P.S. My cellar in piazza S. Amico is safe! Jemo 'nnanzi."
The letter was sent to me by e-mail, Camilla read it aloud (no need to shout for Grandma Fausta who was given back her hearing aid) with that same intonation used on great events as when, my dear girl, at Christmas she was reciting for us the poem "The Saviour is born" , standing on a chair. We four watched at one another with astounded eyes. Raffaella and me had eyes swollen with tears (we promised not to cry any more, at least not in front of Camilla): we'll never forget the courage and at the same time the kindness of those four faces stained with chalk. And now, they thank us! Renato, Daniele, Davide, Alessandro: after all, "angels" have names too. Meanwhile, Grandma Fausta now was invited for an interview on the well-known TV program "La vita in diretta". And she, with her shyness, "But aren't they crazy! No way: at 80 years old I do not think it fit!" Camilla, however, reproached her with affection: 'Grandma, it's your duty to tell other people how you saved our lives: if it wasn't for you, we would be dead, me, Mom and Dad. You are a heroine and that's why they want you on TV: it is not a game as "Amici".
Camilla is the first item, a troubling one, on the to do list since when we started the "new" life. More troubling than our daily life, which is not certainly easy. At school here in Francavilla she does not want to go, "Dad, I do not have books, they cannot test me, there are no school friends of mine: What you going to do?". Okay - I say - but in September we must start again. Yes, but where? As if to answer our concerns, Francesca calls me: "Angelo, I have not slept for three nights, but I have decided: we have enrolled Elena at the Liceo Classico here in Pescara. Sure I am not giving up, I want to rebuild the city with all my strength, but I cannot deny a future to my daughter because of my Aquilan dream. I cannot tell her she is wrong. And here comes, on time, the usual evening sms from Cesare: "There are things that we changed our lives ... not only for the worse. P.S. My cellar in piazza S. Amico is safe! Jemo 'nnanzi."