Christmas Eve. Midnight on the dot in the small church of a village in the provinces of Padua and Venice. The bells are ringing. Outside it's raining cats and dogs. In silence, warmth, and notes secure heavy organ. The priest comes out of the sacristy, wrapped unusual in sumptuous vestments. Bystanders are surrounded by thick spirals of incense censer and the tinkling in the hands of an altar boy.
During the homily, the priest asks, "what images come to celebrate with this Christmas?" Around you this question, believers or not, and leave you a moment to think about what might have been your answer ...
For me, I would be lying shamelessly if not confess that most of the snapshots of Christmas related to my very personal story, the anxieties and concerns that have accompanied the last day of the year now behind us.
equally sincere but can not deny that my thoughts at that particular time, went to the people who was at the Christmas night in many cities and towns of the Veneto were preparing to leave their homes under the threat of another flood.
not want to appear to me nor saccharine "airs holy, let alone in search of pity, but I assure you that the view from the junction of the river Brenta Piovego and the morning of Christmas Eve, after a few days of heavy rain, was really impressive.
Looking worried that scene, I felt an inevitable relief at the thought of living on the "right" of the bank, that is unlikely to be affected by flooding, then I remembered the many stories of the inhabitants of Bovolenta, Casalserugo, Vicenza, cresol, Monteforte D'Alpone I had heard during the last two months. Friends, acquaintances, work colleagues, who had lived near the flood All Saints. Those stories are back to visit me, as Dickensian ghosts, its Christmas Eve, making me feel very lucky on the one hand, and on the other inviting me to hope for the return of the alarm and the possibility for families affected by the crisis to spend Christmas a little 'closer to normality .
So it was, at least for most Venetians.
I hope that 2011 brings good solutions to problems, to force those who have to deal with, sensitivity and clarity of purpose to the decision makers for themselves and for others, and ultimately banal, serenity and hope .
Happy New Year from Padova!
Giulia
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