By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information.
Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. Contact us for full details.
Shares
It was an eerie feeling as I stepped up the cobble stones to an old run down room that had seen better days. The paint was coming off the walls, the stove needed an upgrade and the bed that was in the corner looked as if it was going to break in a matter of seconds. We were greeted by this warm, loving lady local Italian lady. She was so frail. Her back hunched over as she held her walker so tightly with her thin arms. As she moved around I was amazed at how much weight her legs took as they looked like they would snap if she twisted in the wrong direction. Yet, she carried herself with so much pride, with so much grace. Her hair was immaculately done, her floral dress was freshly steamed, buttoned all the way up with the collar neatly tucked over and her apron having not a stain in sight. There was so much love in her eyes. So much excitement. So much emotion. As we sat around the room I listened to the voices of those I had only just met yet they carried such a familiar feeling to me. It was as if I had known them my whole life. So soothing, so comforting. There was so much history in this room. So many emotions were soaring through. This was my Nonna's first time back at this place since she had migrated to Australia with her immediate family. Her first time re-connecting with her Aunty since the move 60 odd years ago. The only Aunty that still lived. As I looked at them, my heart felt the love and compassion that was shown in front of it. The memories flooding back for them both. The years coming back. It was a strong feeling for my Nonna as she looked at this lady in front of her and could only see an identical figure of her mother- the one she had lost at such a young age. This beautiful lady was an exact replica of her own mother. My Nonna owed a lot to this lady. Memories flooding in as they continued to share stories of when Nonna was growing up and what life was like back then. They both continued to laugh as they remember three families being squished into this room, or as they referred to it 'their home'. Everyone lined up on the ground like sardines, to ensure they could all fit as the night passed on. It's no wonder why my Nonna has been so appreciative with her life back in Australia. What her parents did for her. What her parents did for her family. They made the big move in order to provide for a better life for them all. For the future generations. As I looked at my Nonna's eyes I could see the raw emotion that was there. So many stories were seen with those eyes. So many stories were experienced with those eyes. The piercing bright blue continued to sparkle as her smile would fill her face. As the memories were recalled. As the emotions were felt. Hearts throbbing, tears flooding, joy filling our surrounds. As we made our way back down the cobblestones there was a sense of heart ache. A sense of pain. None of us wanted to leave this beautiful Aunty who many had just met. As we waved our goodbyes, it was sad to think this would be the last time I would ever see her. I would ever see this local connection again. That Nonna would ever see her. They parted ways for the final time in this life in the hope they would be reconnected in another time. In another life. That local connection I just made changing the way I see life. The way I see Nonna's life. The way I see life back home in Australia. How we are so blessed to live the life we live and how important the bond between families can be. I will forever have a little place in my heart for this little lady who I just had met but felt like I knew her for years.