January 16 -- Spent the morning with Leo

This morning, Sunday, I was sleeping so hard, I missed Leo's calls to my iPhone, which I always have near my pillow. Then, at 6 am, he called on the house phone to wake me. We only had a short conversation because he was waiting for a student to arrive. There was a beautiful sunrise here so I emailed Leo its picture, which I took from our bed.

Last week, I sent this sunrise to Leo. The picture was taken by our friend Paola in Laguna Beach.

Within moments after emailing the photo, my iPhone rang.  Leo was using his Skype account along with his web camera. Instead of hearing just his voice, I saw a smiling Leo on the iPhone's screen! He looked fabulous. His coloring was good. His eyes were sparkling and I watched him move about the room, his back brace in place. Thank goodness he was not in extreme pain today. Leo never knows from one hour to the next, to what degree his back will hurt. The bone marrow cancer seems to be under control but the damage the cancer did to his back is still healing, painfully.

Skype's video and sound was so crisp and clear.  I hadn't seen him since November. What a wonderful wonderful surprise. Thank you thank you thank you Leo!

We talked until the student arrived. Leo took off his headset but left the Skype connection live. It was so fantastic! I stayed on the line for over 3 hours. The student was just out of sight range, but I could hear their conversation and tried to understand as much as I could.

Before Leo became home-bound two years ago, he always had a web camera installed in his office, so I could look in anytime. At the university, he also installed an outdoor webcam which allowed me to see Ponte Vecchio, the Arno River, nearby traffic and the weather. He gave me the ability to move the camera, using my computer. Nearly everyday, I watched Leo and looked outside his window. He never felt too far away with this daily contact.

Today, when the student left, Leo returned to his desk and I could see in his eyes, he knew I was still on-line. He put on his head-set but did not talk. He was not alone in the house. Since he wanted to stay with me, I pulled out yesterday's Italian lesson from the ICC and began to talk. I could see his face relax. Just as I am comforted by the sound of his voice, my not so perfect Italian soothes him.

Michele had asked us five questions, as he usually does on the first day of class. The varying answers always start a lively discussion.

We each have different perceptions of cultures, using our own cultural yardstick to make these judgements.

Americans may think of Italians as being lazy because Italians know how to take breaks throughout the day. I have found Italians to be hard working perfectionists. Italians admire the American skill of time management and organization. The American work ethic makes Americans stressed and we often work right though the day without a break.

I told Leo how the discussions had gone in class. I watched his face as he showed me his opinions. When it was time to go, he waved bye. He wrote me later that he slept soundly and comfortably after our time together.

Love endures and finds a way, even though difficult times.


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Secondo te: (In your opinion):

Gli italiani sono orgogliosi di essere italiani?
What percentage of Italians are proud to be Italian?

Quali sono i simboli piu prestigiosi del made in Italy?
What are the most prestigious symbols of "Made in Italy"

Quali sono gli italiani piu importanti di tutti i tempi?
Who are the most important Italians of all time?

Quali sono le principali qualita' degli italiani?
What are the principal qualities of Italians?

Quali sono i principali difetti?
What are the principal defects of Italians?

Quali sono le principali qualita' degli americani?
What are the principal qualities of Americans?

Quali sono i principali difetti?
What are the principal defects of Americans?