Romallo 10.1.1978

My very dearest Paolina,

I write to you still surprised and anguished over (Papa's) death. His big heart could not withstand the weight of such responsibility.

As you can see from my handwriting, I am not well. It has already been 2 years that I have strong aging sicknesses and rigid trembling. I have poor circulation and swelling of my leg. I had an analysis of my blood, urine, and an electrocardiogram. I accept from God my infirmary and am thankful for the good health that He gave me in the past. Sylvia with her diabetes keeps on working and worrying over me. My sisters are so dear.

I won't tell you about politics, inflation, and the bad that affects Italy. I think I have to pay a mason 60,000 lire for an 8 hour day of work. Now enough about politics, and let's be happy of heart for your 50th wedding anniversary that you wrote about. I am very happy God has really blessed you. You have won the grand virtue of your beautiful parents and yourselves. Also accept our best wishes. What a beautiful family you have had - honest, religious and materially stable. May the Lord give you long life for the joy of all. You are the only relatives who we are tied to and who always loved Revo. None of the Magagna (Fedrigotini) family are still alive, which was the family of our grandparents (Fedele and Erminia). You should write to Itala Pancheri (Cles) who is Aunt Gina's daughter, and Gina is the sister of our grandmothers (Giovanna's grandmother and Paolina's grandmother are sisters, and Giovanna is the woman who is writing this letter). Gina's daughter Maria had three daughters and a son. One of the daughters died. Itala is fine. She has a bar at the station. She doesn't have children. Since I've been sick, I don’t see her anymore. Itala's two brothers are in Trento and have one daughter each. They are affectionate and lovable. Unfortunately, I don't know much more about our relatives. My father knew much more about the family tree, and would talk freely about it when someone was interested. I was always busy with school and I didn't have time for anything else, and now I regret it but it's too late.

At the Revo cemetery there is a small tombstone which has written on it "In memory of Giovanni & Fedele Magagna" They died in later years and a few days apart. My mother spoke of them often, especially about Nonna Fedele who was a noble of San Zenone, and was full of spirit and pretty like the mother of your mother. I think the Magagna sons were volunteers in Girabaldi's army. Last century, the Magagna family was one of the rich and noble families of Revo, related to de' Rossi, de' Manincor and others. Then there was a decline and the family almost ended up in poverty, but, dear Paolina, we remain with the spirit and the blood and the finesse and the honesty that was the unmistakable imprint of the aristocrats as so we are in their debt and we honor their memory. I'm finished and I wrote the best I could and it was a difficult task. My hand is weak. I remember and pray for all of you. Sylvia will write.

Kisses, Giovanna

Christmas 1978

My dear Paolina,

Here we are again in front of the manger to adore and to give thanks for the long life afforded to me by God's grace. I am not very well as you can see from my own handwriting, but I am near 80 years old and it's already been a long time that I can't get up and be self sufficient.

I am since November, with Anna in Cles. She is alone, without obligations to family (she doesn't have a family). And she lives in a small apartment that is very comfortable. She has for me the cures and attentions toward me like a mother's. This same attention that I found in the home of Silvia and the other sisters.

Even though cost of living goes up every day, my pension is enough. We live in tough times. Just think, I paid a mason 8,000 lire per hour. It has been snowing since yesterday, after the golden fall. I don't remember such (beautiful) similar weather. Anna and I went out everyday to the narrow roads that went to the castle and we found primrose (flowers). This was my father's favorite flower. The year that he died, he brought me two of these plants. It was Christmas Eve. Your mother admired him a lot. What good parents God has given us and with many blessings. Sylvia has diabetes and unfortunately she cannot get well because of so much work. She got very heavy. She accepts God's will. I think that you are doing the same. You (both Sylvia and Paolina) are like the women of the old days of the Cantico dei Cantici (perhaps this refers to cantieri-construction yard). It is too bad that the modern women are not like you both.

I've researched the family tree of our families, but without result. The young people live today, and our story….(as if to say who cares) they could care less about us old people. What we only have left are our memories that we take to the grave. My father knows our story very well and I regret that I did not interview him. Itala brought me your regards. Aunt Gina's nephews are so beautiful. Do you know Gino, Itala's brother? From the way he carries himself, he seems like a gentile person, a man of the old times.

Grandmother Fedele from San Zenone was from a noble family of de' Zanoniani's. My mother would often speak of her, beautiful. She died a few days before her husband did. Both of them were very old. In Revo, on Roma Street, the Magagna house still stands with a beautiful statue of Maria (the Virgin).

Last century our ancestors were among the best families of Revo. After came the days of sickness and everything went bad. Uncle Peter was able to give new luster to the house. He knew five languages and was an intelligent businessman. He died young. Maybe you remember him too? He had blue eyes like my grandmother and the light blond hair. He looked like an English lord.

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Page 2

Forgive me, dear, if I finish this letter by the end of today. For almost 25 days I could not hold a pencil in my hand. Today I feel better, but not completely well. Outside it is snowing and it may continue. This morning the roads were empty and everything was white. I hope it won’t be like the winter of 1928 with 2 or 3 meters of snow. All the snow has already melted.

A little while ago, I read some psalms from a prayer book where there are also pictures of your mother on her deathbed. There is a lot of peace on her still beautiful face. Let's pray together dear Paolina for us to be near and for our young ones who live in this troubled world.

Best wishes , peace and health, I kiss you.

With much affection, Giovanna