Reflections on My 39 Years in Umbria

All week long, guests at Genius Loci who had met Casey during his weekend stay, mentioned him in myriad ways: "Casey told me...", "When Casey was here...", "If Casey were here...".

Jane's photo before going to dinner

He impressed everyone with his fun ways, ease of social interaction, agreeableness, energy, enthusiasm as well as with his linguistic skills - not to mention his bi-cultural awareness. He is so acutely aware of some of the finer points of the Italian language AND of Italian ways, points that many "seasoned" adults overlook.

Naturally my attention gravitates to the latter two of the above mentioned skills: I was so often overwhelmed by a mature and correct use of the subjunctive "Se mangiasse" or "Se io fosse", AND by the correct formal use of the third person singular when addressing an unknown adult, like my husband: "Lei è il papà di Michele?".

At the restaurant, he read the menu, able to make his informed choice, and then maturely ordered for us all...in exemplary Italian, void of regional dialect overtones, delighting the service staff and much eliminating the "us-them" division that often hovers over the entire evening.

While Casey demonstates independence, individual thinking, creative ideas (and inventions), he is, at the same time, an affectionate, loving 10 year-old, showing warmth and great respect to his grandparents and to all. He is extremely well-mannered, an excellent conversationalist, open to new ideas and foods as well as to new people whom he has just met.

Of all these remarkable qualities, I noticed that he is strikingly pro-active as well. I see no signs of passivity. He seems to have all the qualities of "the leader of the pack". Of his many, this quality will serve him well in the world and as he embarks soon on the early-adolescence journey.

I congratulate Casey - he is an outstanding 10 year-old. I am in awe of what Jane and Ken have undertaken and how they are explicating their immense responsibility!
They are an example to us all!!!