Anno 2011

qui di seguito trascrivo la lettera che mi ha inviato Elisa Maria, nipote di Aurelio  (https://www.santinadirienzo.it/montelongo/storia-di-persone-vissute-in-paese/aurelio), che ora è nata e vissuta a San Francisco (California). Sua madre, in un momento di nostalgia per il paesiello di provenienza da cui sua madre era partita quando aveva solo 19 anni, vagando su internet, ha trovato il mio sito dove ho inserito le foto di Montelongo ed ho scritto storie di luoghi e persone che ci hanno vissuto ed ora non sono più in vita.

E' UNA LETTERA MOLTO TOCCANTE PER ME E SPERO DI POTER ANCORA OSPITARE ELISA MARIA E DARLENA AL NOSTRO CARO PAESINO.

Dear Santina,

I’m so sorry that it has taken me this long to write you, but it is important to me that I exress what a pleasure it was to meet you this summer, so I figure better late than never.

As we prepared for our trip to Italy, I did not know what  to expect out of our time in Montelongo. Being distantly connected to the town through my grandmother, who left, as you know, at nineteen, I didn’t expect to feel close to anything there, but just hoped that it would serve as a nice glimpse into what her life was like before coming to America. To my great  surprise, not only did I see the wonderful town that my grandmother came from, but also I feel in love with a special place I never knew existed.

Oddly enough, it is a place I feel have known my whole life. Here in America I fear that the essence of community has been lost. It is true that we have small communities here and there, such as my community from University or my community from work, but I have never seen a community in its true sense like I did while in Montelongo. It is more like one big family that even as a first time visitor, I felt so blessed to be a part of. The people of the town have  an incredible way of passing love and care to each other, they share of the same values, they look out for each other, and they rally raise each other. I loved every minute of my time there, from the rolling hills with sunflowers, to seeing the newborn rabbit that Pasquale held in his rugged hands; Montelongo is a place of total beauty that really touched me. I understand what brings you back year after year.

I want to thank you and your family for sharing this gem of a place with my mamma and me. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and I’m so thankful to have met you and your family, your mother, sister and nephews. I would love very much to make it back to Montelongo this summer and I would  be more than happy to come and help with the activities. I have been thinking about the next  trip there from the moment we left the train station at Campobasso. J

Please say hello to everyone from us; I hope that the kids are enjoying their classes and that you and Francesco are doing great.

With love