We were supposed to meet at eight in the morning at Sant'Anna Church. The night before, my mother and I packed a suitcase, trying to squeeze everything we needed for four days into a small bag—there wasn't much room in the car, but we managed.
July 28. My father drove me there, punctual as always, and they put me with Giacomo's sister. Marcella and Enza's husband rode with us too. The drive wasn't long, but it was beautiful—clear skies and birds everywhere. When we got to Tricase, we found other groups already there, lots of young people. First we unpacked and made the beds, then went swimming for our first dip while the staff set up the tables for lunch. The food was wonderful—spaghetti carbonara and chicken. We spent the afternoon playing games.
July 29. Today is my birthday. I'm turning fifty! The day started with calls from my mother and father, from relatives, from friends at the State Archives where I worked years ago. Even don Michele called, and he was talking to "someone." He handed me the phone, and you won't believe this—it was our bishop, Monsignor Giuseppe Favale, saying, "Happy birthday, Efrem!" I was stunned. "Your Excellency, thank you—I never expected birthday wishes from the bishop!" Later, Etta, Marcella, and I went for a walk. At some point, Etta's phone rang: "Come back," they said. When we returned, there was another surprise: the whole veranda was filled with colorful balloons, and a cake-gelato sat on the table. They put a crown with a big "50" on my head and sang happy birthday. I got emotional and started crying, laughing, calling them "little rascals, little rascals!" It will be hard to forget this beautiful party I never saw coming.
July 30. We went to Alessano, the town of Bishop don Tonino Bello. We visited his tomb and the church. The priest there knew don Gerardo Serra, my uncle and a friend of Bishop Tonino Bello. Marilena reminded us of one of don Tonino's most beautiful sayings: "each of us is an angel with only one wing—we can only fly if we hold each other." We finished our walk in Alessano with gelato that I bought as thanks for the birthday party. That evening we packed for our return to Monopoli the next day. But first we celebrated from nine until midnight. I read an intention, and we sang a song—"How many stars, how many stars, / Tell me, which one is mine? / I don't want the most beautiful; / I just want you near me." And I remembered my childhood.
July 31. The vacation is over. We got a little sun, we felt good, and now we're heading home with a touch of nostalgia but very happy.