Mother’s Day Italian Style
Sunday May 12 was Mother’s Day in the US. Turns out it was also Mother’s Day in Italy, though it seemed a lot less commercialized than the US version. That second Sunday in May also coincided with the monthly gathering of the International Group of Facebook Friends I’d recently joined, also thanks to Lorella, my Italian tutor (but more about her in another post next week). The friends meet twice a month, once on a Wednesday morning for coffee and another for a more relaxed Sunday gathering.
Margo and Bill Bell, a couple from Seattle, hosted us Sunday. At 3:30 friends from the UK, Germany, Italy and the US made their way down a dusty country road one mile outside Panzano to the Bell’s restored farmhouse in the midst of an olive grove. The house is the typical Tuscan sun warmed stone with a terra cotta roof. The large windows in the open living area overlook rolling hills with a view of Panzano’s hilltop in the distance. A modern kitchen, one bedroom and a sumptuous updated bathroom complete this very sunny and cozy home. Oh, and they have a washer and a dryer, Margo happily pointed out.
It was a beautiful day that offered a promise of the best of spring weather so Margo and Bill had set up refreshments and snacks out on the lawn, next to….their pickle ball court!
Yes, the Bell’s are the owner of one of roughly 100 pickle ball courts in Italy! Their regulation court, sitting on one of the relatively few level spots in Panzano was completed last year. Sunday was their first official “opening” of the court.
Turns out Bill’s dad was one of the three friends who developed the game to entertain their kids a few decades ago. Margo and Bill were hoping to recruit a few more interested players to ensure lively games going forward.
Kate and Lydia, two young women from the UK who are the core and coordinators of the group were there with their kids, and Kate’s dog. Lydia’s two sons (Alessandro 12 and Danelo 10) are avid tennis players and had soon mastered the game. I played a few rounds with a variety of other friends though we really just volleyed and opted not to keep score.
Although I didn’t get to enjoy the usual brunch and visit with my Mom and kids, it was a lovely way to spend the day in my Italian life. I relaxed in a beautiful setting, getting to know others who have chosen to live in this place for a lifetime or a season. I was sorry I had forgotten my phone so there’s no photos to share. Use your imagination!
Note: I learned that the UK has its own individual celebration of Mother’s Day that coincides with the fourth Sunday in Lent, this year on March 10. I had previously learned that some European countries use the International Women’s Day (March 8) to celebrate mothers, like in Romania, home to my trainer Elena back in Newtown.