diario di un terremotato

FRANCAVILLA - "Dad, Grandma Fausta did not want to be interviewed. But then, in front of the microphone, never stopped to speak. She went on talking, talking. You should have been there... We had great fun and laughter." As if Camilla had removed that end of the world night was removed from her mind, she enjoyed herself greatly at the intrusion in the reserved life of her world eighty-year-old grandmother-heroine of a tv crew for the Rai program "La vita in diretta" to whose live broadcast in the studios I was invited to take part too. The interview with Grandma Fausta was conducted yesterday in the cozy lounge of Sonia and Antonio's house in Scafa. The couple, our beach-cabin neighbors in the summer at Francavilla, invited us with the intention to let us spend a quiet Sunday, especially to Camilla, a friend of their two daughters Sarah and Claudia. And among asparagus, mushrooms, cannelloni, sausages and roasted chicken, but especially with their warmth, they did it.

At Ortona in the morning I attended a meeting of the Lions Club of the Abruzzo-Molise District, an organization to which I belong, which in the early hours was on the frontline for the earthquake emergency. The meeting was to be held in L'Aquila and Daniela and Pierluigi of the aquilan Lions Club New Century, had already prepared everything long before, as the President of the District, Lello, reminded us before introducing the coordinator of emergency operations, Enrico. Daniela, who's killing herself of fatigue (working with Protezione Civile), is a tough person. Yet in her speech she was overwhelmed with emotion: this knocked me out. The President of Lions Club L'Aquila Host, Giulio, in suit and tie ("The only clothes in the garage, now I have only this) made a review of the difficult situation mentioning the grave losses that hit our association: "But we will overcome."

Moreover, in the crowded meeting, a letter from Franco, a member of the aquilan Lions, was read. Franco, though hit by a sad personal loss, was a candidate as District Governor (4,000 members, 80 Clubs in Abruzzo, Molise, Marche and Emilia Romagna), a position that Aquila obtained only once in its long history, fifty years ago, with the unforgettable Don Gaetano Bellisario: "Dear colleagues, when I enthusiastically accepted the invitation of my Club to run as Governor, I would never have imagined I was going to fight against the worst misfortunes that can happen to a man. Instead this was what happened to me. I must therefore apologize with my Club and all the friends who have supported me so far, but I cannot proceed. I hope that you will understand me and forgive me in the name of our Lions friendship. As to the two remaining competitors, to whom I have long friendship and cooperation ties, I send my deeply-felt wishes for the competition. May the best win." "What dignity- said a lady sitting next to me." You Aquilans nobilitated us Abruzzese."

Cesare's evening Sms: Sunday, day of celebration. Mario, our fisherman / lifeguard in Montesilvano gives me two live cuttlefish: immediately "black" spaghetti is organized. Peppe invites me to attend the mass of the displaced. I have coffee with Ezio at the bar. With Stefano I go for a beer at Arrigo's. Amedeo calls, a mixed grill dinner at his place in Silvi! The Aquilans, though displaced do not despair, do not isolate! Jemo 'nnanzi".