I turned fifty in Carovilli, a small mountain town in Italy where my maternal grandparents lived before they moved to America in the 1920’s. They both died before I was born but I have the trunk they brought their belonging in when they immigrated to America. It sits at the end of my bed and I think of them every time I walk past it.
A few years ago I applied for Italian citizenship through an amendment to the Italian constitution known as The 1948 Law. The application was based on my grandparents and I was approved a month after celebrating my birthday in front of their home. I am still pinching myself.
