“All
good things must come to an end,” at least that is what I’ve heard. I have
always hated this saying. It seems so cynical, so depressing. I suppose in an
existential sense this is true: everything ends at some point, but I can’t help
but ask that if something is “good,” does it ever really end? Physically, there
may be an end point, but the memories of that good thing, the goodness that one
gains from it, the “changed for the better” in someone; isn’t this the continuation
of those good things?
I
will be leaving Sicily, my home away from home, in two days time, and I have
spent the better half of this week reflecting on the above mentioned phrase and
all of the good things I have experienced here. True, I will no longer be
living in Catania with my wonderful family, but I do not see my leaving as the
end of our bond. They have become a part of me, who I am as a person. Living with
them and adapting to their lifestyle has taught me much about myself and
re-shaped my small perspective of the world. This experience has opened my mind
in ways I did not expect. I did not simply take a vacation traveling through
the vineyards of Italy, sipping wine, eating cheese, and riding on the back of
Vespas with cute Italian men. Alright, well I did do those things, but these
past three months became so much more than that. I learned how to be a teacher,
felt that rush of pure joy and sense of accomplishment when Ida would understand
what she was reading, and the happiness I felt for her accomplishment in that
moment; I gained new meaning to “independent study,” or studying without any
assignment or teacher or school tuition providing incentive, but studying
purely for my own desire to learn; I figured out how to adapt to a striking
change in environment and comfort zone; and I discovered a confidence in simply
being who I am, embracing my characteristics, both good and bad, and finding
value in them.
I
am a firm believer in the idea that everything happens in time for a reason or
some greater purpose, and I truly believe that I was meant to come here to
Catania, to live with this particular family. We both needed each other in
order to move forward in our lives, and the timing of everything fell perfectly
into place. Through all of the mishaps along the way with the program and my
placement, I could not have asked for a better outcome. Antonella, Ida, and
Salvo have completely welcomed me into their home as one of their own, and have
made a great impact on my life and where I am to go from here. I can only hope
that I have impacted them in a positive way and have taught them a little about
my own American way of life, and not just the lifestyle they see in the movies.
It
has been a beautiful experience and one that I shall never forget. While I will
no longer be in Sicily, my teaching will continue. The family and I will keep
in touch over Skype, and I will continue to help Ida with her English as she
prepares for her certification (her teacher finally saw the light of day!).
Saying
goodbye to friends is always bittersweet. There is a sadness in leaving, and
yet an excitement in what lies ahead. In a way, though, this isn’t really
goodbye. This “good thing” is not really ending. After all, with every end
comes a new beginning, and boy, are we just getting started.
Ci
vediamo dopo
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