CATCHING UP WITH HYRUM

Hyrum started in the Ogden Mission and is finishing in the newly made Logan Mission. And was called to serve as President Alred's Assistant. He was very humble about his call. I didn't find out about it until a week later when he casually mentioned it in a letter.

Old picture, but this is Elder Ford

The fellow talking to Hyrum, is an old friend of Steve and I. His name is Nader Mikhail. He lives in Utah now with his wife and kids. He met up with Hyrum last week. Hyrum's Mission President and his wife and Hyrum's companion (not in the picture) were there too. Hyrum enjoyed hearing stories of Steve when these two were younger. I so wished I could have been there. I'm sure I would have cried through the whole thing, but it would of been very sweet.

ONIONS

After Messina Daniela and I went to meet up with Domenic and the kids in Reggio Calabria (Vebo, really, but close). Spent a nice day at the beach. Great dinner on the ocean. On the way to catch my train back to Rome, I stopped and bought these onions that are famous in that area. I took the over night train because, I wanted one more full day with Daniela. Didn't sleep well, so was long and uncomfortable. I got in Rome at 7:00 am. Got to the apartment in time to shower and I was in the office by regular time.

MESSINA

Our next stop was Messina. Again, we were warmly welcomed by our cousins and Aunt and Uncle. It, of course was still very hot. We stayed with our Uncle Andrea and Aunt Rita in their small apartment with no air conditioning. 

Zio Andrea took us out for breakfast and I had a strawberry granita and briosc. Super good, but more like dessert than breakfast.

Spent a few hours at the beach, which made me super happy.

In the evening we all went out for dinner. Ah, family. So fun.

Daniela bought out the shoe store. Well, not quite, but she did her fair share - 9 pairs of shoes. She was so kind and bought me a cute purse. I also bought a pair of cute booties.

Simona and Francesca

Zio Andrea and Zia Ilda

Daniela and I on the ferry to Messina

PAOLA

With Federico. I'm coming back one day and swim in that water, like I did when I was 14.

COSENZA

This is the street where my father worked when he was a young man. Up to a month ago the shop still existed. This is where he learned to work installing glass and windows.

An assortment of bruschetta

SAN FILI

Daniela and I in front of the San Francesco statue.

My father's cousin Matilda

The house where my maternal grandparents lived and my mother was born.

Cousin Federico on his balcony.

July 24

 I met Daniela in Lamezia and then headed to San Fili. I hadn't seen my cousin in 40 years. We were treated so kind by and his sweet wife Lucia. We had lunch with my mother's cousins, the Palermo's. Then went to see my father's cousin, Matilda and my Zia Ilda. We then went out to dinner with Otorino, Jenna and their daughter Ciara. It was so nice to be with all the cousins and just feel so welcomed, even though we haven't seen each other in so long.

Zia Ilda

Otorino and Jena

NO COINCIDENCES

It really is a small world. Dallin Hatch, who served a mission in Rome, goes to Palmyra to meet his family before heading home after he finished his mission. He takes part as a cast member, and while mingling with the audience, meets Rina Crawford, who I knew in Toronto when I was newly married. Crazy, but fun. They discovered they both new me and sent this picture.