The first time I went to Italy, I spent a month with cousins in Grotte, Sicily, discovering my mother’s hometown. Then I was back in Rome, ready to start an internship with the Associated Press. I was 22. My Uncle Charlie was the next Grotte visitor. He and my mom went back to their hometown …

Continue reading A tribute to my Uncle Charlie, my Italy buddy

At our family picnics, there are so many cousins and children of cousins and their  children, it can be a challenge to meet and greet everyone. My Aunt Joleen has the system nailed down though, as I witnessed at our recent gathering. “Now, who are you?” she simply asked, as she made the rounds. And that’s …

Continue reading Catching up with Cousins, Lots of Cousins