17 Comments

oh Sam, how nostalgic you have made me with your beautiful family story with your mom. This is so authentic, it drips off of me, as well. And you reminded me how many hours we would play cards, la scopa, which means the sweeping broom, and boy were there fast hands sweeping those cards. I miss those days, How lucky are we to have experienced them? You brought me much happiness with your story today.

Expand full comment

i am thankful for the memories. we'd play scopa for hours. when i'd sweep the cards she'd grab my hand every now and then to make sure i wasn't cheating!

Expand full comment

Hey Connie, that's strange, when I want to visit your profile page, it tells me that the profile can't be found...

Expand full comment

i got the same thing. Then I found Sam's story here on my email. And I'm able to comment here. So what did I do wrong? who can help this rookie?

Expand full comment

just an observation - when looking at these comments, after my name, Thomas' name, and Vanessa's name, it say "Author", where I don't see that after your name.

Expand full comment

I've seen that too. It's very weird…

Expand full comment

have you made an account and set up your profile yet?

Expand full comment

I have no idea, sorry...

Expand full comment

How beautiful, Sam. I love cooking and playing games as opportunities to bond with family. Your mom truly knew how to nurture her love for you! :)

Expand full comment

thank you, Carlos. my stomach was definitely a testimony to that! : )

Expand full comment

It’s just an investment. A lot has gone into it. ;) Like my mom would say of me, “buena muela!”

Expand full comment

Sam. What a wonderful story . It had me remembering my mother's wonderful strawberry shortcake. It was my favorite of her wonders.

Thank-you for sharing your memories .

Expand full comment

What a moving story, Sam! The first of many, I'm sure! As for the card game, isn't it Scopa? I'm a big fan of that game! I collect them, because there are different cards for different regions of Italy, I'm not telling you. I must have 5 or 6 different ones! The rules are simple, and it's a great game for two. I like the Neapolitan and Piacentine versions. I'm sure you're having a great time with your mom. ☺️

Expand full comment

I can't believe my Italian is being corrected by a Frenchman...it is indeed Scopa, as my sister also 'kindly' reminded me. the photo was taken a few years back, before my mom passed away. i plan to write more about her in the coming years.

Expand full comment

I couldn't correct you on anything else, I guess. And God, I'm so sorry about your mom, I couldn't have known. Dumpling. She can be proud, from where she is, of her brilliant writer and poet son. ✨💛

Expand full comment

no worries about not knowing about my mom passing. it happened in January this year.

Expand full comment

I feel like an idiot. A tender thought for her. 🙏🕊️

Expand full comment