My 17 year old son Christian is the luckiest duck to be invited on a trip to Italy with the family of his longtime buddy Matt Shappert. After one year of dreaming about it, and another year planning it, the four left JFK two days ago and will return on the 17th after absorbing Rome, Naples, Pompeii, an offshore island and who knows what else.
I convinced myself not to be bothered that I wouldn’t hear much from Christian knowing how busy they would be, but I awoke to an email with the rundown of the day’s first sites. I’ll share the letter with you, but first you should know I raised my children to speak the “King’s English”. No swearing or even slang allowed. So occasionally my children talk a little “blue” to have some fun with me. I occasionally turn the tide by speaking “blue” right back and it always surprises them, so that’s the setup of the email.
I hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend and that you are finding ways to keep cool in the heat.
Hey mom, right now im in the hotel in Rome and we’ve spent all day walking around and seeing all the cool stuff like the huge ass fountain, some monuments, statues, ruins and a glimpse of the Colosseum. Tomorrow were going to the Colosseum and today we also went to a italian diner place and i got this pasta and i’ll never see pasta the same. ive got some pictures i’ll send u later. i may not be able to email you again since my laptop wont fit in this adapter for the UK power outlets. maybe I can buy one myself with 3 prongs instead of 2. I guess i could also use my ipod for email. But whatever. Ill talk to you later hopefully. Love, your favorite child
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Here was my response to Christian:
Christian, thank you for this email. Sounds like you’ve hit the ground running. I feel like I’m on the trip with you! I’m familiar with all the landmarks you mentioned but never saw the big ass fountain in any guide books. The Shapperts must really know Italy.
Natalie will be jealous of the pasta you’re eating. Me too.
Love, Your favorite parent
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
This E mail is priceless Maureen. Thanks for sharing. I can see why you were busy, getting Christian ready, youself and 2 flat tires. Relax yoiur days away.
Yum – that pasta looks great! My husband is going to visit relatives in Italy in a couple of weeks. I’m thinking he will be sending some similar pictures.
Denise
Denise, how lucky of your husband! Yes, I hope you get lots of photos. If you can’t bring Denise to the trip, the trip will come to Denise, right?
Hi Maureen-
Great observations from your son! Especially the food thing…I found that their Italian is much better than our Italian. The food was just tastier and “lighter.”
I was lovin the wine there too….it’s not the same as what they sell here….we had wine every day, lunch and dinner, and after. Never a headache or hangover!
Of course, Christian won’t discover that hidden secret of Italian eating…maybe.
Hmmm, I wonder what B-A fountain he saw….more than one to choose from!
Your future correspondence should be interesting! Keep us posted.
Don
Hi Don,
I agree completely with your assessment of the food and drink of Europe. They really know what they’re doing. The people are gentler and more civil too. We could all take lessons I think. Haven’t heard more from Christian but I promise to share when I do. It is pretty funny to get his observations. Maureen
Thanks for sharing the E-mail. I can almost taste the pasta – it sure looks good! By the way – glad you are back – I missed you.
Please tell Carrie that she did an outstanding job as an Anchor last everning. Wed. Rod was on vacation and she was alone. Multi news items breaking at the time. She was so cool, calm and articulate as usual. What a perfect 2 weeks for your Cape visit.
Thank you Pat, I’ll be home soon and I promise to write more often. I appreciate your thoughts. xo
Carol I will certainly tell Carrie. Syracuse is lucky to have someone with her talent. I’ve been watching the news in Boston, widely considered by the industry as the best news market in the country and Carrie would fit right in with the talent here. Thanks! xo