Yes, we are here in Italy for our second Christmas. And just like last year, we are snuggled in our house fighting off illnesses. Except for the Christmas market in Pescara with our friends Cecil and Valerie from Evanston, Illinois, we’re missing many holiday markets and festivals. We’ve avoided getting COVID this season, although there’s a nasty virus going around, called RSV, which put me down for 5 days. Then Mike got it. Along with a urinary tract infection. So here we are, cozying up in front of a nice fire, and thankful that we have such good neighbors.
We caused quite a stir in our little community last week.
On Sunday, the 17th, I was still pretty weak, so I stayed in bed till about 10:30. Mike decided he needed to split additional firewood, so he went out and filled the wheelbarrow three times. Then he came inside and busied himself for the rest of the day. That evening, he started feeling sick, so I made him take some anti-viral herbs. Monday we went to see two properties in Citta Sant’Angelo, and I drove the hour-plus distance both ways. (One property was a ‘No’ and the other a maybe.) We got home early that afternoon and I made Mike take more anti-viral herbs.
That evening, getting ready for bed, he called to me from the bathroom: “Margaret….” He was on the floor, and couldn’t move. I called 118 (equivalent to 911) and requested an ambulance. Then I called Maria, who called Angela and Giuseppe, who called Paul, and whoosh -- they were all at the house.
The ambulance arrived within 20 minutes (couldn’t find the house), with a medical doctor, two female nurses, and two male nurses/EMTs. They were so professional and thorough, and they were here for almost two hours. It was quite a sight, with everyone standing in our bedroom, looking down at Mike on the bed. The doctor said Mike needed to go to the hospital for more tests, that the ambulance could take him, or he could go in the morning. Mike chose to spend the night in his own bed, and the next morning Paul and Maria took us to the hospital. It was a long day, with lots of tests and waiting.
Paul returned to pick us up about 6:30 p.m., and when we arrived home, Robert was there with a casserole of hot home-made lasagna.
You couldn’t ask for better neighbors. And health care. Truly, it’s excellent care, and it’s free. Even if you opt for private care, it’s not expensive.
So as I reflect on life this past year, I am very grateful for my loving husband, my new friends/adopted family, my Italian family, and my extended American family. Life here isn’t exactly what we expected, we’ve hit a few bumps, but the quality of life is certainly worth every minute.
A few last notes: Today it's been 70 degrees in the sun. I hung laundry out to dry, sat out for bit but it was too warm. I wonder if I'll be able to talk Mike into building a fire in our new fireplace.....
And here's a photo of one of the few Christmas items I brought with us -- a table runner made by my cousin Nancy.
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