Thursday, June 23, 2011

a package































the mail brought us a small craft paper package tied with a bright green ribbon- straight from california.


its contents made me laugh out loud. then i got teary eyed.

my dear friend katie hand stitched a onesie for Enzo.








********************************************************************************************


on becoming a ragazzaccio.


the label in it's traditional form doesn't quite fit this sweet baby.


i could tell he had some feelings of his own, and i watched each reaction he had after i dressed him in his onesie.



discomfort with his new title:
































some reflection:































and then some more:































throwing his hands up in an italian "oh!" seemed to do the trick:































next came inner peace:































and finally honor:































i am enzo. and i am a ragazzaccio.














*********************************************** the back story*************************



katie and i were companions in cento celle, on the outskirts of rome. you get used to the sounds of city life very quickly in italy. i had to ask about some of them, others i figured out.


1. a few honks of the horn, as the car would pass our intersection.

meaning: one step up from the "california roll". italians don't even pause at some stop signs, merely honk to let anyone else who may be passing that they are approaching & to take any necessary precautions.


2. the sound of a siren. not the same whirring sound of the US sirens.

meaning: emergency vehicles. the sound is just different.


3. the sound of yelling in any convo (i've said it before…)

meaning: it's 9 times out of 10 not a fight, merely a lively discussion about anything really. their last menu, or the outcome of a soccer game…



I lost count of the times I heard "Enzo" yelled by a boy or teenager calling his friend down from his apartment, or from down the street. Then they'd usually jump on their vespas and be off.


the name for these boys is a ragazzaccio.

ragazzo meaning boy.

accio meaning bad.


not to be derogatory, it's a term of endearment for me- so nostalgic. the term for me brings back the city life of rome. rome awakened a part of me i didn't know was asleep.

it brings memories of

loud discussion,

running to catch a bus,

an italian accent trying to pronounce our names,

the honks,

vespas,

walking down the street eating pizza in the rain

hearing the name Enzo


and like rome did for me, this sweet baby enzo has breathed new life into our family and awakened the part of us we didn't know was asleep.


we are complete. and that's a good feeling.



12 comments:

Vickie said...

Amy - what a sweet post! Congratulations to you and your complete family!

The Hale Fam said...

What a marvelous gift! Your friend Katie did an awesome job. I am truly in love with the picture of his hands thrown up in the air. Perfetto.

Connie Miles said...

AWESOME PHOTOS!! AWESOME STORY!! AWESOME ENZO!!

Meredith said...

Can I make a comment??? This is Katie's mom, and this little story made me cry! Perfect baby boy. Beautiful memories. Gorgeous onesie!!

Nancy Wyatt said...

Amy he is absolutely beautiful!! Love your story, what a blessing your little man is! Thanks for sharing him with us! Hugs Spark sister!

Anonymous said...

Can I just add that I loved the story, loved the pictures, and LOVE being here to eye-witness it all! He's even cuter in person. Can't get enough of him!!!!

Amy's MOM

Becky said...

Okay I LOVE the hands up in the italian "oh"! What a sweet little guy you have!

linda said...

Amy I love your post, you are so thoughtful about everything and it is so endearing. He is so darling!

Yvette said...

He's Gorgeous! Congratulations!

Cassie and Chad said...

He is beautiful!! I loved that story, what a sweet gift.

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How incredibly cute is he?

Monica James said...

such a pretty little one!! :) love to the little guy all the way from India!