Dear
Nipote,
I am back in the same spot in Careri still dangling my legs over the
parapet and looking at the Immense sight this special observation place
high up in Careri has to offer. My mind is back in the time I was four
to six years old, and as I can remember a very happy kid at that age.
About once a month my mother would go down to the river to do the heavy
laundry and I together with my sister 3 years younger would of course go
along. My mother would load the items to wash in a large basket that my
father made and with the help of a rug shaped like a crown on her head
carry this basket to the river with me in tow. In the early years She
tells me I would quite often ride in her arms, because it was more
comfortable to ride than walk.We would set up camp once there and I
would start playing either by myself or with my sister inventing games
for the occasion.
My mother would never let us wonder away while she was busy doing the
laundry.(I cannot believe how those moments come into focus and I am
reliving them as I tell this story) We would take a break for lunch
that my mother brought along and the rest of the time was play play
& play.One of the games I remember playing quite often was chasing
the little fish in the water without success in fact I dont recall to
have ever caught one even though I tried for hours at times. (best
early patience builder for a career in salesI guess).My mother wauld
wash and put the clother for drying on the bushes nearby sych as
oleander that were quite plentyfull.I was not required to help except
at the end when it was time to fold the larger items like the bed
sheets and blankets .I will tell you how we made those last ones in
another letter.
At the end of the day we would pack and head home for the most
difficult task of the day when it was all uphill and hot and I was
tired even though my mother made sure I took a nap after lunch.
Oooooooooooooooooooooohhhh how great a time I had those days!!!!!! I
loved these trips especially in spring when on the way home I would
load up on wild flowers Ipicked up on the side of the road.
I have to admit I had a very happy childhood.
Hope you have one tooooooooo
Love
Nonno