We hung a beautiful photo of the Pope in our window: he has a bandage on his forehead and a gentle smile, like a child who's just gotten into mischief. Every evening we light four candles that bring his smile to life. Four candles—for Sabrina, Samuele, Manuel, and Aurora, our children who are already in paradise; as if to say to them: "Watch out, he's coming! Get ready to tell him about the sea and the forests..." Because this Pope loved us in concrete ways. When we started this community that cares for small children with severe disabilities, children often already on their way to heaven, we lived on the essentials and vacations were a luxury we couldn't afford. Three times we received a letter from a monsignor saying: "The Pope sends you this gift, for your vacation." From the sea, we sent him a shell. From the forests of the Valtellina, a pine branch. From the meadows of Trentino, an alpine flower.
Today we know that Samuele will tell him about the canoe, Manuel will tell him about the mountain hut with the cows, the walks in the woods, the sunscreen, the upturned noses counting stars. Goodbye, Pope. Thank you again.
Tau Community of Arcene (Bg)