Feeling very stressed here in Italy right now (see previous post), we needed a really nice Christmas Day to lift us up. Before some smartmouth says, Well, why don't you go volunteer at a soup kitchen?, let me add that we needed to be with friends, in the bosom of a home, with happy people. Fortunately for us, we received an invitation several weeks ago to join an Italian-Australian family for Christmas Day lunch. Wow, was it a great time!
The Dad and youngest daughter came to pick us up, as we live in Italy senza macchina. Arriving at the apartment, we entered to candles and Christmas lights on a beautiful tree, with a lovely table set. The cooking was all done as we went...grilled oysters with truffle butter, giant prawns sauteed and flamed, and an incredible salmon cooked in a bed of salt. We contributed a Buche de Noel, as well as a big bowl of al dente veggies.
There was a lot of laughing and story telling. And a lot of eating. A lot of eating. We were guests of a family today, sharing their Christmas, which made me miss our daughter even more, knowing she was spending Christmas morning on her own.
When we returned to our apartment, we called Sandra. Somehow the international postal system had managed to deliver two boxes full of gifts to her a week or so ago, which from Italy is no mean feat. So while we were eating at the home of our friends, Sandra was opening her presents from us...a connection of a kind. The enormity of the distance between us hit home, knowing that all I can do today is wish my little girl happiness.
The Dad and youngest daughter came to pick us up, as we live in Italy senza macchina. Arriving at the apartment, we entered to candles and Christmas lights on a beautiful tree, with a lovely table set. The cooking was all done as we went...grilled oysters with truffle butter, giant prawns sauteed and flamed, and an incredible salmon cooked in a bed of salt. We contributed a Buche de Noel, as well as a big bowl of al dente veggies.
There was a lot of laughing and story telling. And a lot of eating. A lot of eating. We were guests of a family today, sharing their Christmas, which made me miss our daughter even more, knowing she was spending Christmas morning on her own.
When we returned to our apartment, we called Sandra. Somehow the international postal system had managed to deliver two boxes full of gifts to her a week or so ago, which from Italy is no mean feat. So while we were eating at the home of our friends, Sandra was opening her presents from us...a connection of a kind. The enormity of the distance between us hit home, knowing that all I can do today is wish my little girl happiness.
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