Saturday, March 14, 2020

Edited: "Heartwarming Moments. Quarantined Italians Sing Together from Balconies" An Example. My Grandpa.

My daughter, Joycie sent me this and I just loved it:



The bald headed man singing Puccini reminds me of my Grandpa Oddo.  The way he picks up the little boy at the end?  Yes.  That was my grandpa...He so loved children and he and my grandma lived simply.

It reminds me of this quote, and you can easily substitute he instead of she:

What constitutes success?  She has achieved success who has lived well;  laughed often and loved much;  who has gained the respect of intelligent people and the love of little children;  who has filled her niche and accomplished her task;  who has left the world better than she found it;...who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty, or failed to express it;  who has always looked for the best in others and given the best she had.     -Bessie Stanley



My grandpa was from Bisaquino, Sicily where Frank Capra was from, my grandma was from Naples.

My grandpa sang opera when he was young and when he would sing to us even in old age he sounded like the man singing Puccini.  When Grandpa immigrated to New York around 1915 with his cousin, Jerome, he was hanging his clothes out of his apartment there.   He sang so beautifully that a lady walking down the street from the opera heard him and asked him to come sing in the opera.  He did until he was called to this southern state to unite with his family who came to America later.  He was so proud to become an American!  

I am half Italian and half German.  *big smile*   My husband is also of Italian descent, we met at an Italian wedding! 

So there you have it.

Have a blessed Saturday and Sunday as we concentrate on the Lord and rest in Him.



Let these great Italians be a good reminder of how we can make lemonade out of lemons, right?

Love to all,    ~Amelia in the Forest.

P.S.  Grandpa and Grandma?  You would be so proud, I'm living out in the country and gardening too!


19 comments:

Sandi said...

Making Italian lemonade...love it! 🍋

That's a wonderful story about your grandpa. What an heirloom!

Amelia said...

And maybe if we're really fortunate we will get Italian lemonade Gelato! *big smile*

Thank you Sandi, glad you enjoyed it. He was a precious, precious man. <3

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Let us pray for the world situation right now.

God bless.

Amelia said...

Yes, that is for sure. Thank you Victor, blessings to you too.

R's Rue said...

Love.

Amelia said...

Thank you R, God bless! A hug. <3

Barbara said...

The singing Italians on their balconies! Wow! What a charming sight that is to see and hear!

It will be interesting to see, as time goes on, what other good things come out of this time of crisis.

Amelia said...

Yes, I agree, I know God can bring good things out of this just like these great Italians making the most of things! : ) I also pray people will draw closer to God in this time.

It is crazy times we are in and I think the panic and control is bothering me more then anything.

One good thing is Whole Foods is starting a senior citizen time from 7am til 8am for only seniors to help them be able to shop safely, and I think other stores are following too from what my daughter tells me.

Christine said...

It just refreshes me to listen and see something so moving as the Opera Singer and the little boy be swept up.
Thank you for the uplifting story. Grandpa and Grandma would be happy to know you are making a difference.

Be safe....❤

Amelia said...

Hi Christine, Yes, isn't that the most moving thing? It speaks so much louder than words...

Thank you Christine for your sweet comments.

Psalms 91 <3

Marianna said...

Such a delightful video, isn't it? A good reminder for me today (who is starting to feel a bit of cabin fever by now), to create beauty right where I am and to make it fun. Maybe I will work on some painting and sewing DIY projects I've been meaning to get to -- heck, maybe I'll play some Italian opera music in the background for good measure. ;)

I've always loved that quote by Bessie Stanley!

You have a rich heritage with memories of grandparents who loved the simple pleasures!

Amelia said...

Hi Marianna, Yes. You must put on some Italian opera music....Bocelli comes to mind. 'Time to Say Goodbye' That song sounds like my grandpa singing...Remember it being played at Grandma's funeral?

The older I get, the more I appreciate those simple times, and oh how I miss Grandma and Grandpa Oddo. May our home be Grandma and Grandpa Oddo's home.

It's a great time to delve into even more creativity with what is all going on and if you're feeling like me with the situation? Heck, what's the difference, staying home? It's a beautiful thing. lol



Victor S E Moubarak said...

Thank you for visiting my blog.

God bless.

Amelia said...

My pleasure Victor!

Blessings! : )

Mrs. White said...

This is so sweet! I love it!

lynn maust said...

HOW GLORIOUS....BROUGHT ME TO TEARS! MY GRANDMOTHER LOVED OPERA AND WOULD SIT IN HER STUFFED CHAIR IN THEIR LIVING ROOM, MYSELF AT HER FEET....BOTH OF US LISTENING TO JUST THIS OPERA....MY GRANDMOTHER IN ANOTHER WORLD, HER EYES CLOSED...AND MYSELF LOOKING UP AT HER...WONDERING WHAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING...one of my gg uncles was an opera critic for the New York Metropolitan Opera....he discovered Enrico Caruso in Italy and had his brought to NY to the opera house...the rest is glorious history...and of this I am awfully proud. :-)

lynn maust said...

A request...can this video be redone so we can see the whole picture? It's cut off on the right side....

Amelia said...

So glad you enjoyed it Mrs. White! Thanks so much for coming by!

Amelia said...

Hello Lynn! What a pleasure it is to have you come visit me at my blog today! : ) Oh I just loved reading your story!

Isn't it wonderful to have such great memories and heritage from familY? That sounds just sooooo neat what you described! Thank you so much for sharing your story! You have every right to be proud, I just love the way you expressed...awfully proud. <3 : ) We say that phrase here too! : )

Oh dear, sometimes my blog formats the youtubes like that cutting off the side. I need to talk to my tech geniuses in the fam to see if they can help this non-tech but willing-to-learn sensitive artist with that. I do know you can click on 'youtube' in the corner little video screen and see it in full screen there if you haven't already although I hate for people to have to leave this page like that.

Thank you for letting me know Lynn and I am so very happy you came by!

Blessings to you!