The joy and excitement that John experienced when you took him to his town and he met his cousins, had coffee with them - met his auntie who he only remebered from letters and conversations when she was very young was all amazing and very emotional. I will never forget running into him in the piazza in L'Aquila, he was walking around looking for someone to share it all with and to just tell someone what had happened for him that day.
I suppose my semi-participation in the tour must have been annoying for some of you, but I hoped that it may have brought a little bit of reality and sense of family to the tour group by meeting my wonderful cousins, seeing my mother's village (Camarda); where I was born and went to school (Assergi) etc. etc. I am so blessed and so extremely fortunate to have them all - to know I can call them, to know where my parents and grandparents lived and to still be able to go back and be recognised.
Even though I enjoy being with my family, the tour was for me a rewarding and very liberating experience. It allowed me the opportuity to have a short time to experience L'Aquila on my own, to visit the surrounding towns and villages and enjoy the freedom of travel as well as the accepted family commitments.
My love of Italy and in particular Abruzzo has now boundaries. I live and work for the day when I can be there for longer periods and be part of that way of life that is beyond description and is unknown outside of Italy.
My sincere best wishes to all of you. Se Dio vuole, ci rivediamo!