The Winds of Change are blowing
In a small Italian village called Ceglie Messapica in the region of Puglia, where my friend’s daughter, son in law and grandchildren live, there is a piazza, central to village life. The elderly sit and chat or play games, and the children run and play. They can expect to be firmly corrected by the elders; such is Italian village life. The whole village comes out to celebrate the children starting the school year, cheering and waving the young ones on as they enter the school gates. As with many European towns the people may have lived there all their lives. Their children and grandchildren living nearby.
It delights my heart to hear my friend share stories from the Italian village. To hear her sister share stories of visiting them there, continues to add to the scene of what village life in Italy looks like.
Our Antipodean story appears very different as we are raised to think globally, independently, where pioneering is our life blood. The ‘number 8 wire’ mentality of being able to create from nothing, explore ideas and see the world. Our culture thinks nothing of moving home and country, we really are explorers, a heritage we are so proud of. Apparently, the average time frame in which we sell and buy houses is seven years. It is who we are, and we think nothing of it. Reflecting on my own childhood, we had lived in five houses before my 12th birthday.
In November we will have lived here in this village and in this home for 16 years. It warms my heart to know we have put down roots, grown branches of friendship and community, taken part in the rhythm of village life which feels good. So good that just like the mighty Tulip tree, which soars high at the entrance of our driveway, we weather the seasons. The wind may blow, the storms may come but we can stand strong and tall and be a shelter for others, a beacon of hope. A place to come and just be.
The winds of change are blowing, having been so blessed to have all but one of our children living here in the village, along with all five grandchildren, as can be expected with growing families, the numbers are whittling down. One by one, family by family, stretching out to discover where they belong and where life is calling them to. Life has been rich and full, being near them over these developmental years as we got to be part of their lives.
We are so blessed to have had this time, memories made and relationships forged, that no matter where the pioneering spirit takes each one of them, to university, to support spouse’s careers in other cities or countries, we can smile, encourage, support and shed a tear as they leave to discover new frontiers.
When the need arises, the call for home pulls at the heart strings for a visit, we will be here. Just like the Tulip tree which has a rich history in this nation for being a wood source for canoe/waka building and a tree of hope and progress for the early settlers we will be here to shelter, to embrace, to protect and love and to celebrate their new experiences.
Go well, our treasures, our love goes with you.
