Feast of Saint Michael

What a wonderful day celebrating the strength, protection and inner light of Saint Michael!  The patron saint of Orsara is Saint Michael and our father's parents were married in the church dedicated to the patron saint of Orsara.  We are blessed to share this feast day in our relatives hometown. 

As we try to figure out the many relatives and connections, we are amazed at how decades later, we find each other once again.  Today, as I, (Carmella), walked to the cheese vendor, one of many vendors selling treats for the feast, he stopped me and told me he met me back in the mid 70's.  I was on a trip with my grandmother, sister and cousin.  My grandmother wanted to visit her family and we were all excited to go along.  This vendor turns out to be a cousin and knew immediately who I was by looking at me.  Either I look the same and haven't changed much...hee hee, or the resemblance is that strong.  Either way, it was really great to see him again and realize just how much of our family lineage is still here growing strong. 

It is always hard to leave this beautiful town.  Tears are shed and hugs are given that seem to last forever.  We never know if we will return and as time passes, things change.  But we always leave richer, full of love for the countryside, La Campagna, of our family.  This is the place where we came from and our traditions are built around.  Orsara is our Italian home, our heart beat in many ways.  Ciao Tutti!

We had a wonderful time and will return with many stories.  Tomorrow we will return to Cleveland, Oh and set about our lives once again.  But we will be different, enriched and changed for the better.  See you soon!