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August 27, 2008
Ciao
The gray mood of our house matches the weather today. Our good friends, neighbors, the Mounts, are heading off to Italy. Its hard to believe we have only known them for two years. I still remember the day Cecilia came by, knocked on the door, and said they had just moved in up the street, she had seen our son playing soccer in the front yard, and thought our kids might hit it off since her son loved soccer as well.
If you follow the beautiful game, the world cup had just ended, with my son's favorite team, France, losing in the final to Italy. My son's favorite player, Zinedine Zidane, one of the best players in the world, was red carded for headbutting Marco Materazzi, the Italian bad boy of the game. My son was devastated. The next thing I know this young Italian boy with an angelic face was knocking on the door, asking if Evan could play. Born in Italy, Gregorio lived and breathed Italian soccer like my son lived and breathed French soccer. Of course, Gregorio's favorite player was Marco Materazzi. It took about twenty seconds for them to discuss, then resolve, their love of two mutually despised players, and they have been inseparable ever since. They go to different schools, but ride the same bus. They play on the same soccer team- Gregorio as number 23 for his beloved Materazzi and Evan number 21 for his new favorite, Pirlo. Every waking moment is spent doing something together. Over the last two years, Gregorio and his brother have become members of our family, and my kids have become members of the Mount family. David and Cecilia have become very close friends.
Months ago, they came to us and told us that Cecilia had a chance to teach school near Pisa, her hometown, which would guaranty employment in Italy if they ever moved back. It is only for nine months, and the dream of sharing the country of your birth with your children, letting them experience their heritage, surrounded by family, is a strong pull. David, an architect, would stay here with his work. They debated and debated, and decided that they would do it. Its only for nine months.
This day has been building. There have been many friends stopping by to say a tearful goodbye, even though it is only for a short time. Last night was Gregorio's last practice, and his coach was chiding him: 'We have paid a lot of money to send you out for training with this Italian team, so you better see what you can pick up while you are over there.' Gregorio is beaming. 'We are counting on you to come back and show us what you have learned.' The smile on his face is from deep within his soul.
There will be tears today in our house. Alex woke up this morning and put on a dress to 'look nice' to take them to the airport. She and Gregorio's brother are quite close, and she blushes when anyone suggests that she has a crush on Gregorio. Carlyn will miss her friend and confidant, Cecilia, and the bustle of having four kids playing contently at our house or theirs. And Evan...
To say that Evan and Gregorio are two peas in a pod is an understatement. Gregorio's olive skin and brown hair sets him apart from Evan's light skin and blond hair, but other than that...They are the same size, laugh at the same jokes, and share the same interests. It will be a long, quiet, drive back from the airport. A little sunshine today might shake up the gray mood that will descend upon us all. We will see David on a regular basis. His 'job' while the family is in Italy is to remodel part of the house, and Cecilia said we could not feed him unless he kept the project on schedule. I hope we see him often.
But for now, Ciao Gregorio, Cecilia, and Vitorio. Have a great time in Italy. There is a place in our hearts for you, and when David goes to visit, we just might send Evan along for a visit as well. See you when you get back.
POST SCRIPT: Gregorio got to Italy and was soon signed up to try out for the local soccer teams. David's dad was there, a typical american looking guy, and a local Italian struck up a conversation watching the practice. David explained that his wife and children would be living there, and he soon learned that a buzz had already spread that 'there was this american kid' who was a pretty good player that would be joining the team. The local guy watched a blond kid playing and complimented David on his play. David smiled politely, noting that the blond was not his son. His son was the olive skinned player, speaking perfect Italian, and leading his teammates. Sweet.
Posted by r.johnson at August 27, 2008 12:31 PM