Reflections on My 39 Years in Umbria

Dante referred to sunset as the "Ora del Desìo" or "Time of Reflection, Introspection, Meditation". Our "house on the hill", as Mother used to call it, is situated so as to have full views of beautiful Umbrian sunsets from the large picture window in the living room and/or from the front portico.

This time of day has always been very special to me: it was the "slow-down" time of day, when Marica would be practicing (or better, playing) the piano on the open loft above the living room where I would sit down comfortably after a busy day to enjoy her careful executions of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and others along with the poignant, ever-changing light of sunset...or when Michael would lovingly sit down next to me either after his afternoon of sports and restorative shower before doing his homework or when he would also practice/play the flute...or years later, the drums. As they practiced for their lessons, music, and the elevating joy it brings, drifted gracefully through the house.

It was an exquisite time of closeness with Marica and Michael and of the realization that it had been a good day...or, sometimes, that tomorrow held promise of a better day. It was a moment of inspiration, reflection, meditation and intimacy-a time to collect ones thoughts after hectic and overly busy days, to rejoice silently at the wonders of nature, absorb that glorious sense of motherhood, to enjoy a time for hugging, holding, encouraging, marvelling and listening with awe to Marica's piano and Michael's flute progress... or sometimes to sweet and moving piano/flute duets. It was an uninterrupted "time-out" - time to fully feel that delicious inner glow!!!!!!!!!

This winter sunset yesterday flooded me with memories of those years. The 33 years in this "house on the hill" have flown by. Today life has "placed" Marica on distant shores and well into an exciting career...and Michael, after years and years of travels and jobs around the world, across the valley as manager of our Genius Loci Country Inn, directly opposite this "house on the hill" where we could easily send smoke signals to each other.

When I gaze on the spectacular sunsets, both children, however, are right here with me as I gratefully reminisce on the joy they have always infused...and continue to infuse into my life...as well as on the enormous pride and respect I feel for the two exquisite human beings with whom I was so infinitely blessed. Oh, the magic of "L'Ora del Desìo" and the memories it evokes!