Not Iowa, 2011I found hope on page 19, yesterday's paper, The New York Times. There it was, buried beneath the grief and the sadness. Good news. If you are patient you will find it, its roots in rural Iowa. Giovanni has found himself. It has taken time, a lot of time, heroin, and prison. Things are different now. He serves Italian food from the back room of a cafe. 50 people on Friday and Saturday nights, booked every weekend since he began. He has turned their noodles to pasta and introduced them to the beauty of cannoli without a fork. He's married a nurse he met in rehab. He'll celebrate 60 years of life in June, but in so many ways is really just beginning. This is good, right? Why do I wonder how much I don't know? What crimes were committed? Who has been hurt? How did this particular story make it into The New York Times? I fear the neat little 3 column package has left too much behind. Perhaps Giovanni's debt has been paid and this is a true case of reform, it is what I want to believe. It is possible.
p. 19
he looks like a fairly cheeky chap, as my mother would say, a sprightly something going on behind his eyes.
ReplyDeletesmack makes such a mess of people's lives - i'm currently reading keith richards' auto-biography, and back in contact with an old flatmate who we nearly lost to it, so smack's everywhere for me right now!
i too would like to think giovanni's made the right turn...here's to new (and final) beginnings.
I know miracles can happen. They happened to me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the article yet, but the Times is sitting in back of the computer and I'll go there next.
From your description his life sounds like a Anne Lamott novel.
Thanks for shining a little light in our day.
xo jane
Lucy, I hope your old flatmate is doing well. I imagine recovery is a very tough journey. Cheers to moving forward.
ReplyDeleteJane, You are a miracle and an inspiration.
It's one of those stories with the artificial sense of an ending, when everyone knows it hasn't ended yet. But the food sure sounds good, and it beats much of the attention-seeking sensationalism in the press.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Giovanni has lived and is living a life. I'd love to know more, but maybe that's me being nosy about his past. Still, the focus here is he's doing something positive. I can only imagine the satisfaction and rewards he gets from happy cafe customers. The difference between him and me is that he had the courage to start a business and go for it. I'm still dreaming about it. I wonder what it will take for me in my life to go for it?
ReplyDeleteMise, Yes, exactly. A very level-headed response.
ReplyDeleteMariana, My impression is that you are the "go for it" type. I see it happening, possibly soon.
i like this story, good on you page 19.
ReplyDeletesometimes it's hard to get to page 19 of the newspaper though, isn't it?
I missed this story, but I'm glad I heard about it from you.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story and thanks for drawing my attention to it. Like you and others here, the conclusion seems a little too neat to me. After all, doesn't everyone have a few lose ends in their lives? Beautifully told.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the paste-up department of a newspaper for almost 10 years. Back before papers were done via design programs. Articles always ran long. Longer than long. Many inches, columns—dangling from the bottom of the board...Cut away with a blade. Yes, there is much more to Giovanni's story.
ReplyDeleteyou are only as good as the last day... it's good to know today counts.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading "father of the rain": very powerful, fits with this story.
I like Giovanni's story, and there's no doubt with rampant addiction and two murders in his family, that his story has had horrible horrible turns. but it is very hopeful. redemptive moments happen in unexpected places, and can often include sharing good food.
ReplyDeleteis that author, perhaps, running for politics, or am i just a foul, suspicious mind?
ReplyDeletei know, i know.
suspicious.
I love watching the news with Katie Couric... and I'm always amused at some of their happier bits of news, like that of the duck bonded to a human (goose? duck? I can't remember). I love when there are some human good news stories too. xo
ReplyDeleteSo much bad news. Everyday. I'm happy to see this little spot of hope. Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteI have just read this story online and had to smile at the way Giovanni 'educated' the people eating at the cafe about Italian food.
ReplyDeleteThese are good questions to ask. I wonder that as well. How lucky he is, given all we know of his past.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. I found it a thought provoking article. I suppose the only one who truly knows, and really needs to know, what's happening in Giovanni's life is Giovanni. I wish him well.
ReplyDeleteAmelia, Interesting book suggestion. I've added it to my to-read list. Thank you.
interesting - it does seem unfinished or incomplete...yet at the same time a little too neat and tidy...
ReplyDeleteI do think it's possible ... I loved this piece. It's also a reason why I sincerely love the NYT -- so many good writers, so many good stories, even the little ones like this, that make it in the paper. I'm also a wee bit envious of that reporter :)
ReplyDeleteI too wonder if there is more to the story but then again, I am more of a realist than optimist by nature. Regardless...it's nice to read something positive in the news...'normal' people who have made real mistakes but are trying to get their life back. Makes today just a little bit brighter. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, ladies. I will remain optimistic.
ReplyDelete