Nostalgia at the funfair

Tags

Bibione, Childhood, Funfair, Italy, Memories

First time I was in Bibione was in 1990. It was our first time in Italy and I was only five. I remember loads from the time there. “Italia ’90” – the FIFA world cup (football, yes) was going on at the time. Italians took football crazy to a whole new level. I’ll never forget.

I remember some of the people we met. Some of them we still keep in touch with and visit every time we’re in Italy. Some were my brothers’ summer flirts, and probably people they never want to be reminded of ever again. The ice-cream, the swimming pool, the food, the heat, the beach, the sea. It was fantastic.

One other thing that clearly stands out is the funfair. I went back some time, probably in the mid nineties, and this year I returned again. And it had not changed a bit! This time I was standing in the shadow of my Son. It was fantastic! He’s younger than I was when I was there for the first time, so he didn’t care as much for the same rides that I simply loved, at age five. I was a little too handicapped to be able to try anything much, but I had my camera with me and stood cheering on the side.  I also walked around and had a look, breathing in the same smells from years gone by and noticed details from a world preserved for decades.

Remaking memories

Tags

Family, Farfar, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Memories, Son

My grandfather, Farfar, is 82. I love him dearly and try to visit often, but I fail, and I don’t see him as often as I want. He has been ill for a long time, an illness he has proven he can live with, but which is at the same time tearing on him. I have many fond memories of him from my childhood as I spent quite a lot of time with him growing up. He has taught me much and has told numerous fascinating stories from his life before he became a father, grandfather, and now a great-grandfather.

He loves it when Son visits, and although he’s often tired he always takes time and makes an effort to entertain and spend time with him. Last time we visited he brought tears to my eyes, tears of joy and love, as he helped Son up on his lap. Found a pencil and a piece of paper and drew animals and mythical creatures. He used to do the same with me when I was wee. His hands are shakier now and his lap can’t hold a child for as long, but he smiled, and Son smiled. The characters he drew were characters I know from my childhood. Now they are given new life with a new generation.