La Nona’s Sweater

In December of 1967, I was living in the small city of Bergamo in Northern Italy. It was a beautiful place, located in the foothills of the Alps. The people living in this community were friendly and hospitable to our group of young American boys (19 – 21 years old). We were living in a fairly new apartment building and looking out our window could see La Citta Vecchia (The Old City) that had been built in the 1300’s. There were homes and apartments as well as traditional outdoor markets selling fruit, vegetables, sweaters, shoes, and other items.

A dear friend of ours, who we respectfully called La Nona (Grandma) lived in an apartment built in 1350 A.D. (the date was on the outside of the building). La Nona was a poor woman, seventy-five years old and not even five feet tall. She had gray hair and a beautiful welcoming smile. She was always happy and invited two of us over to her small apartment for dinner every Sunday. She always served us a sweet roll for dessert.

La Nona was living off a government pension of 25,000 Lira (Italian monetary system at this time) which was equivalent to less than $45.00 US dollars. We were living frugally on $100.00 per month, so compared to her we were quite well off, yet she kept thinking of us and sacrificing for us if we ever needed anything.

Just before Christmas I developed a sore throat along with a fever and general malaise. I was miserable and needed some rest and should have stayed in our apartment, but because I was young and somewhat foolish, I didn't pay attention to my health and went on with my daily activities and work. Research has shown that a young person’s brain is not fully developed until they are about 25 years-old and mine certainly wasn’t. Unfortunately, my sore throat turned out to be a strep infection, which, because I left it untreated, eventually led to a very serious kidney problem.

It was during this time that I received one of the most valuable and meaningful Christmas presents I have ever received.

La Nona learned that I was sick and one afternoon, this gracious and generous woman walked from her apartment in La Citta Vecchia carrying a gift, an old brown ‘ugly’ sweater purchased with love at the open market. This sweater did not match any of my clothes, yet it was warm and comfortable, and because La Nona gave it to me, I wore it often, not caring what it looked like or what others may have thought.

I don’t know how much she paid for it, but I'm sure it was more than she could afford. I knew she made a huge sacrifice for me, and today when I think about this experience, I feel a sense of gratitude for a woman who loved me and was concerned about my health.

I still have this sweater and remain touched and grateful for this precious gift from a woman who had nothing to give except love. Her love and sacrifice remain with me to this day.

Over the years I have often thought about La Nona and her gift. I have always appreciated her sacrifice to help me, someone who was better off financially than she was, but too young and foolish to fully realize how much he needed the gift of love she gave him. Helping our children learn to appreciate the kindness of others as well as to give selfless service will pay huge dividends as they learn the value of touching each other’s lives for the better.

Here’s to failing forward!

Calvert and Anne