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Friday, June 19, 2009

Crossing the Bridge for the Reunion.


The minute we entered San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge I began to tense up. This was Saturday morning, and the bridge was lined up with tourists. If there are delays, this is the place. Fortunately, the day was clear-usually it is foggy and drizzly-and sunny, with perfect visibility.

And now the reason we went down to visit: my grandchild-teen beauty J, her sweet mother T., her husband and son S. with a bag of goodies, and our youngest, not married son B. The old man is my teddy bear hubby. They are all taller and louder than I.
J is thirteen going on thirty, and will end up taller than her mom. She speaks three languages, but not her mother's native Burmese, or my native Italian. She chose to study Chinese and Spanish, practising with no one in particular. In my memoir-yes, you heard correctly, and it is finished and on ice for a while-I am conversing with my grandchild and using a sprinkling of Italian just so she gets the flavor and sound of my language and the lives of her ancestors.
I want her to know how amazing her life is, two worlds, the East and the West had to meet in order for her to be born. It is the story of America, and our family is a prime example. My husband brings the story of the West, the pioneers, grandparents from Denmark and Sweden, treks across the land on the Oregon Trail, growing up on a ranch in Montana.
My daughter and her husband are not pictured above. They live closer to us in Oregon and will be appearing in one of my posts one of these days. Some of you know that they are singers/songwriters/producers/music teachers. Whenever I want to feel uplifted, I go listen to their tunes.
For all the men and sons out there, Happy Father's Day. Share your stories with your children and grandchildren.


24 comments:

Helen said...

How wonderful to be part of this amazing family! I love reading the 'story of you.'

No, I am not leaving Bend for the summer .... I really do have a lot going on ~ not all of it without problems.

I continue reading my favorite blogs of course .... including you!

Unknown said...

Ohhhhh, your memoirs... fantastic! You'll have to let us know when publishing date is scheduled, title, etc.

Good looking family, very interesting grandchild with her language skills and beauty!

potsoc said...

We, mixed origins peoples are the hope of tomorrow's world. If ever peace comes to our planet it will come through the unifying force of our mixed children, not mixed-up children, but children with a wide vision of culture and a sense of the other.

Unknown said...

Wow, that is just amazing - a true meeting of east and west in one very special young woman! You must be very proud, grandma! :-)

Reasons said...

Thanks so much for sharing this.

Michel said...

OOOH! Memoirs! That's so cool!

PS I grew up on a ranch in Montana too!! Does he know Bill? ?

HAHA! I love to do that - because I swear to you everyone I tell that to says that to me in all seriousness as if there were 15 people in the state.

Pyzahn said...

It's heart warming to know that you are such a loving mother/grandmother and wife. It's really nice that your family is close.

Happy Father's Day to your teddy bear husband.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Lucky you--what a terrific child! Have a wonderful Father's Day!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

What a wonderful post!!! And how fabulous that you have written you memoirs!!! That is the greatest gift you can give to your family!!! Beautiful family, btw!!! I will very much miss you, and your terrific blog while I am vacationing...but will be back as soon as I am able!!!! And you can be sure I'll stop by to see my favorite educator! Love to you and your family~Janine XO

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Your descriptive and what is felt within each word is delightfully inviting. I thoroughly enjoy your conversation as I join you in your adventurous travels. You give a beautiful voice to the "whatnow."

lime said...

thanks for stoppng by to say hello at my place. i can see why my family reunion post appealed to you. :) i hope your reunion was just as lovely. your granddaughter sounds like one very bright young lady! the smiles on everyone's faces is just delightful.

xxx said...

Beautiful to see some of your family members.
Fathers day is celebrated in Australia in September.

best wishes
Ribbon

Feisty Crone said...

What a lovely picture. Family stories are the best.

Woman in a Window said...

What beautiful family. And to have such an international mix is such a blessing, a drawing together.

I'm glad you've those memoirs in hand! Keep them safe.

Natalie said...

What a lovely family you have, Rosaria.xx♥

Bogey said...

I feel honoured that you would share these precious and personal moments with us. It is a true blessing to see loving families gathering, even for a short time. Thank you Rosaria. And I couldn't agree more with Potsac. Truer words were never spoken.

Saretta said...

Nice family. Love to hear people's family stories. Each one of our lives is worthy of a novel.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Thank you Rosaria for sharing your family with us! Your sons look great, your hubby is truly a teddybear, and you make a fine couple.

And how about that precious grand-daughter of yours! What a gem. Your muse and accomplice in your memoir... how uplifting. And how apt that an educator like yourself converses with a youngster like that, illustrating America.

I am happy now that I have read this. Not only because I am honored to be introduced to your family, but because people like you make this a better world.

Love,
Lola xx


PS: potsoc couldn't have said it better!!

Renee said...

Rosaria I am not kidding; I almost burst out laughing. I totally cannot believe that your granddaughter looks exactly like you.

If you had placed 10 girls in a row and asked which was your granddaughter I would have totally picked her out.

She totally has your face. She is beautiful just like her grandma.

Can you imagine being 13 again and speaking 3 languages. She must be a genius just like her grandma.

The whole family looks so wonderful.

I love them and your husband is very good looking.

Love Renee xoxoxo

Man of Roma said...

Yes, it is the story of America. This mixing of cultures is refreshing and can bring only good and much richer minds and beings.

Now also Europe is starting to mix (I'm talking about folks who didn't have vast empires like France or the UK) but people are getting scared about it.

LAC said...

What a beautiful family!

Unknown said...

"I want her to know how amazing her life is, two worlds, the East and the West had to meet in order for her to be born. It is the story of America, and our family is a prime example. My husband brings the story of the West, the pioneers, grandparents from Denmark and Sweden, treks across the land on the Oregon Trail, growing up on a ranch in Montana."

- so wonderfully said.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Rosaria, your family is adorable, always as you are, and I love the pose of your sweet teddy-bear hubby!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Oops, and I would love to be able to read your memoirs, Rosaria - What a fantastic idea, to have conversations with your grandchild... There is such talent throughout your family... I know you are very and rightly proud of them all, and we are very proud of you - POTD, fabulous, always thought-provoking and inspiring - Each and every day... Thank you. Sending you love.