Author Archives: April Lee

we’re not celebrating thanksgiving in italy today
so when i’m missing the way things were
it’s easier to be here

and at the same time more difficult

recalling time-honored family traditions
with my parents and grandparents
as well as new rituals my own family-of-four created

interesting, the twists and turns of life

wishing everyone in the states
a day of coziness and good cheer
(with a special shout-out to my favorite two)
 
 
 
 

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in this passage from her book ?????????: ? ????????? ???? ????, martha cooley describes her daily life with her husband, antonio, while living in italy for 14 months. it was a bit uncanny reading it, because it’s an almost-perfect description of me and eric most days.

three years ago, on 28 october 2016,
I MOVED TO ITALY!

and i guess you could say
a lot’s happened since then

• my husband and i self-renovated a large villa that had been closed up for years (mold and peeling plaster just two of the issues), living in chaos and dust and unpacked boxes for close to 8 months
• we stood in numerous immigration lines, attended italian cultural classes, endured house inspections (electrical, plumbing, medical), and more .

do you have a secret pain?

almost all of us have our own private hell.
something that keeps us up at night.
something that prevents us from dreaming.

something that’s usually kept hidden,
along with the fear that accompanies it.

the suffering happens in silence.

15 days before my dad died
i sat in the sun

we weaken
we falter
we get crushed

we keep trying
we keep hoping
we keep getting up
 
 

 
 
“sun will also retry to shine tomorrow, then why not you.”
~rajesh walecha
 
 
 
 

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