Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Henry home from the mother country


Henry got home this afternoon from his school trip to Italy. He looked tan, handsome and taller, and I was so excited to see him and wrap my arms around him that I failed to take a picture. He chattered non-stop on the way home, telling us about everything that he did and saw, and then he gave me a present and I practically burst into tears. The kids went to a leather factory, and he picked out and bought me the above leather journal and had it stamped with my initials. Can you even believe that a fourteen year old boy would be so thoughtful? I saw it and knew right away I would have to get you one, Mom, he said. When we got home, I showed him my little leather travel diary that I wrote faithfully in the entire summer I traveled in Europe after graduating from college. We realized that I was in Italy, in the same cities, on the exact same dates, 28 years ago. Wow, Henry said, You wrote it all down. I didn't write a thing, but it's all up here. Now, I'm flipping through his iPhone and looking at Italy through his eyes.

16 comments:

  1. What a precious, beloved, loving boy! Oh Elizabeth- that was PERFECT!!!!

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  2. Oh Elizabeth the great golden beauty of sons have we been ever more blessed or cursed?

    I hope you take that notebook everywhere and write down everything.

    love,
    Rebeca

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  3. How wonderful a gift. Even more that he just KNEW. I hope he'll give you permission to show us some of Italy through his eyes. Welcome home all you travelers. We leave tomorrow.

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  4. What a treasure - actually, two treasures: the young man, and the gift he chose for you. Well done, Henry!

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  5. the same places, the same dates, decades apart. Awesome. You have a fine young man there, Elizabeth.

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  6. i'm glad that he brought you a piece of italy, one that you may use for your writing.

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  7. This post made me think of a recent conversation with my oldest daughter. I gave her a cookbook for Christmas and she later informed me that that kids of the Millennium Generation, don't read cookbooks, they just look up recipes on Pinterest. That conversation led me to believe that, in general, she saw little use for books in print. You can imagine my surprise during our recent visit to SD to find a library book sitting on her night stand. She had searched out the local library, got a card, and checked out a book. I love it.

    And here is Henry chronicling his trip with iPhone photos and yet he knew that a leather bound journal would be the perfect gift for you. I think that is embracing the best of both world's, don't you? A splendid mix of technology.

    It all makes me feel very hopeful - for our youth and for books.

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  8. I am so pleased he is home safely and he had a great time. What a lovely, thoughtful thing for him to do - and I bet he feels pretty proud of himself knowing that you wrote about your travels in Italy all those years ago.

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  9. That's beautiful. He sounds so wise!

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  10. What a special gift! You have a very thoughtful son!

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  11. Synchronicity. Always a good sign.

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  12. So intersting how Henry is maturing. He knew exactly what his mother would love, saying so much about his admiration and love for you. What a wonderful opportunity for him to experience a different country and culture. Would love to hear a story or two....bet he has a few to share! As for the irony, you already know my thoughts.

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  13. Tell him to write it now, while it's fresh in his mind It is something he can show his son/daughter 28 years from now. More importantly, it is a tangible memory - and likely will satisy at least one school assignment.

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