They say Italians speak with their hands, and indeed they do, they speak of the food, the art, and industry, but most of all, the music, "Musica Bella" as they say. And if you want to be lifted into the Christmas spirit, all you need to do is listen in on Christmas eve, to such artist as Luciano Pavoratti, Perry Como, Lou Monte and the many others of Italian voice that populated the 40's, 50's and 60's of Italian American culture.
As the smell of Mom's pasta sauce with the cooking of the fish, her in her apron and Dad in his flannel shirt, the sound of little kids and cousins who have gathered, the music completed the background. Italian homemade cookies, drinks coming from gallons of homemade wine and liquors and the anticipation of the feast warmed the air and gave a magical light to an ordinary room. The spirit was there and so the love, once.
As we move on in life, whenever I hear a song like Tu Scendi Della Stelle, the Ave Maria, and Cantan Gli Angeli, a million memories come flooding back, the happiest evening of the year, Mom and Dad at the table, Dad so thrilled to have his family surrounding him with in-laws and grandchildren, Mom with a tired but happy look as everyone complimented her on her cooking, the exotic dishes we ate only at Christmas eve, and the undying laughter that pierced the special night.
They say you can never go home again, and that is true, but the memories of home linger as do the feelings and heartfelt joy of memories of loved ones, and traditions stay forever at home in your heart.
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