I called a family up north late one night. The "core family" numbers six, though I say "core" because the house always seems fuller than that. The doors stay open to people in need, and some stay for months. A young woman from Romania has lived there for two years now. Erika and Piero have four children—one with minor disabilities, another adopted with more serious ones. Beyond that, their home is always full: young priests in hiding, Tunisians they met under a bridge fleeing war, people struggling with addiction waiting for a spot in treatment.
What struck me most when I met them was their calm, their simplicity, their ease. How do you stay so SPECIAL and yet so NORMAL at the same time?
I decided to find out.
You already had a child with disabilities. What made you want to adopt a girl with a handicap?
Years ago we belonged to a couples' group at our parish, and our priest kept talking about fostering children with special needs. That's how our daughter found her sister. Slowly, welcoming people in difficulty became the heartbeat of our family—especially for my husband, it was the best way to raise our children. Everyone talks today about teaching kids sacrifice and self-denial. In our house, that sacrifice came naturally. Sure, we couldn't eat out much or take big trips, but that felt less like a sacrifice and more like just what was necessary.
I imagine you have a spacious house and that your family life is shaped by your guests. But do you still manage to have a private family life?
Our house isn't large—three bedrooms that we adjust as needed. Sometimes the living room becomes a bedroom. We have a garden, and our guests often help us cut the grass. We trust them completely, and we've never had real trouble except once with a young man struggling with addiction. Without that trust, our whole life would have to change. We'd have no space, no time to ourselves. But that wouldn't be real welcome. Everyone works, everyone helps. The Lebanese family couldn't eat our food at first—but after three days, they started cooking for us. A household can have its rhythm disrupted in the first few days with a new guest, but then you have to live normally, without too much worry, or you'll go mad.
Was opening your home a choice from the start of your marriage? How did your children react?
Honestly, I didn't go into marriage with that fixed idea. I was happy with my husband and wanted for nothing—I mean, I wasn't BORN to be a mother. But as I grew, I understood so much more. With him, I discovered the beauty of opening our house and ourselves to others. Our children never lacked anything essential, and for them, it was simply a normal life. What moves me now is seeing my own son—a father himself—talking with migrants at the traffic lights.
Tell me about your adopted daughter. How did your biological daughter react to her arrival?
Our daughter was always wanting those dolls—you know, the ones that talk and wet themselves. We told her that a real live doll was coming soon.
What's the secret to managing a family life like yours?
For us, faith is the most important thing. But you also need enthusiasm and genuine interest in other people, in really getting to know them. Our own well-being wasn't enough anymore.
By Huberta Pott, 1999