Dear Reader,
I live in Calgary, Canada, our language is bilingual. English and French. I don't remember much French after 8 years of learning in Elementary & Jr. High School. At 22 years of age I married an Italian Immigrant . . . so my language has been English and Italian!
I have been blessed knowing two cultures. It takes a lot of patience being around people who speak a language you don't understand. Many times I would just sit at the table and knit while my husband and our friends were laughing and having fun. Many times I would ask questions. Many times I would ask for them to say what they were saying in English. Then there came a time when we didn't entertain as much, so I wasn't around Italians. I worked out of the home for a short period of six years, around English speaking people. I lost a lot of what I learned. Then one time when we were traveling with two other Italian couples who were speaking Italian most of the time I became resentful. I removed myself from having fun and didn't communicate at all. Holding in my anger and resentment.
When we got home I called them and told them I don't understand Italian. When you are around me please speak English. They were shocked. Shocked that I didn't understand after listening for so many years, 30 to be exact. As I shared my story with others about being upset, some said they should speak English esp. if they know how. Some said, I should learn Italian. Anyway, it took courage to speak the truth. Now they know. They still chuckle because when I know what they are talking about and join in they say, "See you do understand." When they have a visitor from Italy they always ask me to say something in Italian. Then they chuckle at my cute accent!
Sometimes I blame, complain, defend and justify my behavior. One day I will stand before God when I will be questioned on my choices in life and God will ask me . . . Did you feed the hungry? Did you help the poor? Did you look after my children? It is then that blaming complaining, defending and justifying will not help.
My Italian friends are Catholic. I am not. At Easter they do a lot of things to remember Jesus. Even though I'm not Italian or Catholic, I do love Jesus, He is my best friend. My faith is very strong. Jesus has set me free to love myself and others just as they are and are not.
Where do you stand today? Do you believe in Jesus? Do you understand His language of love? Are you celebrating the fact that He has risen from the dead . . . being happy that we have the freedom to celebrate this in Canada?
Today as I went to google to translate, I learned that the phrase they use to greet you at Easter time does not mean Happy Easter, it means Good Easter. I always greet them with Happy Easter and Buona Pasqua. Now I know the difference! For me to say Good Easter sounds funny. So I will continue saying Happy Easter to all my friends and Buona Pasqua to my Italian friends! Happy Easter to you all. Peace be with you.
Tutto alla tabella, a mangiare, everyone to the table lets eat.
With Love and Encouragement,
Dorothy Sessa
403.473.2940
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