La Nonna’s Gift
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 when I looked out my bedroom window, I could see the Citta`Alta, (the high city) which is an old city that was constructed over the course of centuries beginning in the 6th century BC. It is surrounded by Venetian walls erected in the 16th century and is known as the medieval center of Bergamo, Italy.
We were living in a fairly new apartment building and when I looked out my bedroom window, I could see the Citta`Alta, (the high city) which is an old city that was constructed over the course of centuries beginning in the 6th century BC. It is surrounded by Venetian walls erected in the 16th century and is known as the medieval center of Bergamo, Italy.
When I visited the Citta’ Alta I saw an interesting piece of history still being lived. Most of the dwellings were apartments. There was also a traditional outdoor market full of people buying and selling fruit, vegetables, sweaters, shoes, and many other items. Their merchandise was spread on the ground and customers walked around inspecting the wares. Bartering was part of the culture.
A dear friend of ours, who we respectfully called La Nonna (Grandma) lived on the second floor in an apartment in Citta Alta that was built in 1350 A.D. (the date was on the outside of the building). Her apartment had running water (but no shower or tub) and the toilet was communal down the hall shared by all the families on that floor.
La Nonna was a poor woman, seventy-five years old and not even five feet tall. She had white hair and a beautiful welcoming smile and for her age she was quite spry and still walked wherever she needed to go. She was always happy and invited two of us over to her small apartment for dinner every Sunday. She always served us the best sweet roll for dessert.
La Nonna was living off a government pension of 25,000 Lira per month (Italian monetary system used at that 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 I should have stayed in our apartment, but because I was young and somewhat foolish, I didn't pay attention to my health, and I 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 supported this fact.
Unfortunately, my sore throat turned out to be a strep infection, and because I didn’t take care of it, it eventually travelled down to my kidneys which led to a very serious problem.
It was during this time that I received one of the most meaningful and valuable Christmas presents (in terms of personal sacrifice of the giver) I have ever received.
One afternoon when La Nonna learned that I was sick, this gracious, thoughtful and generous woman walked more than a mile from her apartment in Citta Alta carrying a gift for me, a 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 Nonna 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 that sweater, but I'm sure it was more than what she could afford. As soon as she handed it to me, I knew she had made a huge sacrifice for me, and today when I think about this experience, I still 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 appreciative 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 Nonna 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.
At this time of the year I frequently think about La Nonna and the sacrifice that she made to help a young American boy separated from his family have a warm Christmas. The last time I remember seeing her was at church just before Christmas. After that Sunday I was transferred to Rome where I worked until I went home.
This good woman has been gone for many years but her legacy lives on in my memory and I have told my children and grandchildren about her, her sacrifice, and one of the most valuable gifts I ever received.
A dear friend of ours, who we respectfully called La Nonna (Grandma) lived on the second floor in an apartment in Citta Alta that was built in 1350 A.D. (the date was on the outside of the building). Her apartment had running water (but no shower or tub) and the toilet was communal down the hall shared by all the families on that floor.
La Nonna was a poor woman, seventy-five years old and not even five feet tall. She had white hair and a beautiful welcoming smile and for her age she was quite spry and still walked wherever she needed to go. She was always happy and invited two of us over to her small apartment for dinner every Sunday. She always served us the best sweet roll for dessert.
La Nonna was living off a government pension of 25,000 Lira per month (Italian monetary system used at that 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 I should have stayed in our apartment, but because I was young and somewhat foolish, I didn't pay attention to my health, and I 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 supported this fact.
Unfortunately, my sore throat turned out to be a strep infection, and because I didn’t take care of it, it eventually travelled down to my kidneys which led to a very serious problem.
It was during this time that I received one of the most meaningful and valuable Christmas presents (in terms of personal sacrifice of the giver) I have ever received.
One afternoon when La Nonna learned that I was sick, this gracious, thoughtful and generous woman walked more than a mile from her apartment in Citta Alta carrying a gift for me, a 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 Nonna 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 that sweater, but I'm sure it was more than what she could afford. As soon as she handed it to me, I knew she had made a huge sacrifice for me, and today when I think about this experience, I still 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 appreciative 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 Nonna 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.
At this time of the year I frequently think about La Nonna and the sacrifice that she made to help a young American boy separated from his family have a warm Christmas. The last time I remember seeing her was at church just before Christmas. After that Sunday I was transferred to Rome where I worked until I went home.
This good woman has been gone for many years but her legacy lives on in my memory and I have told my children and grandchildren about her, her sacrifice, and one of the most valuable gifts I ever received.
This is what Christmas is all about. This is the message that I hope my family understands.
Happy Holidays to all of you!
Calvert Cazier
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