Mamma Mia

Very few people would guess that I am half Italian. My mother, Lucia was born in Naples in 1925 and held onto her Mediterranean roots long after she emigrated to America. Her accent remained strong, her olive oil and garlic infused meals were legendary, and the heightened emotions of her Neapolitan temperament rocked our household from time to time. She was untamed and beautiful in her wildness. 

It was a huge move for her to leave her beloved homeland and sail into New York Harbor in 1952, where she was met by my father and his parents. Ocean liners were more primitive in those days. I love this photo of Lucia and her friends lounging on the immense teak deck during the transatlantic crossing. It took courage and quite the leap of faith for her to leave Italy in search of a better life. She never really got over the loss; I imagine her dreams were infused with salt spray and glasses of wine, her memories always tracing the graceful curve of the Bay of Naples in her mind's eye.

Like my Mamma Lucia, I am always happier by the water. I have lived in coastal communities all my adult life and now, I am about to live aboard a boat full-time for the next several months. This Mother's Day, we will have just commenced our journey up the Eastern Seaboard and I will dedicate our adventure on our boat, Andiamo, to her.

Ciao Bella!