| MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Katy C. Merrell, MEd. |
| December 2009 Make Time for an "Italian Rest Stop" |
“To know the beauty of clouds and wishes and
wagons filled with dreams we must see through the
eyes of a child” I don’t know the origins of that quote
but it seems quite fitting for this time of year. At
school the anticipation is palpable no matter what a
child celebrates at home. I wanted to share a quick
story that also seems to fit the often hectic holiday
season.
About ten years ago my husband and I got the chance
to travel to Italy. The highlight for me was getting to
meet and spend some time with my father’s relatives
in a little mountain village (Limatola) just north of
Naples. At one point during our drive from Rome south
towards Naples we stopped at an Italian Rest Stop.
Of all the incredible sights and sound and tastes of
Italy this stop stands out to me so vividly as a
wonderful metaphor for the essence of Italian
culture. There were NO styrofoam cups, no “orders to
go”. In this “rest stop” you had to actually sit down,
order food and/or drink that came in actual ceramic
dishes, and take a few moments to really “rest”.
As we sat there I began to think of all the hour-long
(sometimes longer) dinners we had when I was
growing up. Dinner was never just about the
sustenance of the food, it was also about taking the
wagons filled with dreams we must see through the
eyes of a child” I don’t know the origins of that quote
but it seems quite fitting for this time of year. At
school the anticipation is palpable no matter what a
child celebrates at home. I wanted to share a quick
story that also seems to fit the often hectic holiday
season.
About ten years ago my husband and I got the chance
to travel to Italy. The highlight for me was getting to
meet and spend some time with my father’s relatives
in a little mountain village (Limatola) just north of
Naples. At one point during our drive from Rome south
towards Naples we stopped at an Italian Rest Stop.
Of all the incredible sights and sound and tastes of
Italy this stop stands out to me so vividly as a
wonderful metaphor for the essence of Italian
culture. There were NO styrofoam cups, no “orders to
go”. In this “rest stop” you had to actually sit down,
order food and/or drink that came in actual ceramic
dishes, and take a few moments to really “rest”.
As we sat there I began to think of all the hour-long
(sometimes longer) dinners we had when I was
growing up. Dinner was never just about the
sustenance of the food, it was also about taking the
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| “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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NORFOLK CHILDREN'S SCHOOL, 23 Union St., Norfolk, MA 02056 508-528-1970
Copyright 2010 Norfolk Children's School
Website Design by Karma Communications
Website Design by Karma Communications
time to be together, to share our days with each other (all 10 0f us!). It was about
slowing down, sharing stories, laughing, building memories, and becoming a family. On
Sundays it was often an all day affair…cooking, testing homemade wine, and of course
eating (usually several courses).
When my life gets hectic I stop and think about that Italian “rest stop”, and try to do
less multi-tasking. I make a point to slow down enough to appreciate being with my family
and friends. My wish for you this holiday season is that you find many “Italian rest stops”
in your family life amidst the swirl and demands of our American culture. Follow your
children’s lead while they are young and take the time to see life through their eyes.
There are so many small wonders and magical moments if we can get ourselves to stop,
slow down, use real dishes rather than styrofoam, and enjoy being together.
Happy Holidays to all and very best wishes for the New Year,
Katy C. Merrell MEd.
slowing down, sharing stories, laughing, building memories, and becoming a family. On
Sundays it was often an all day affair…cooking, testing homemade wine, and of course
eating (usually several courses).
When my life gets hectic I stop and think about that Italian “rest stop”, and try to do
less multi-tasking. I make a point to slow down enough to appreciate being with my family
and friends. My wish for you this holiday season is that you find many “Italian rest stops”
in your family life amidst the swirl and demands of our American culture. Follow your
children’s lead while they are young and take the time to see life through their eyes.
There are so many small wonders and magical moments if we can get ourselves to stop,
slow down, use real dishes rather than styrofoam, and enjoy being together.
Happy Holidays to all and very best wishes for the New Year,
Katy C. Merrell MEd.