Cassano 11/01/2000

Dear Pietro,
You thought you would find a fat, bearded man with a paunch: instead, you've found an ex-farmer, 1.81m tall, thin, with no beard and no paunch. I expected to find you in a study, sitting at an untidy desk, in an armchair with a breath-taking secretary who lights your Tuscan cigar for you - a "Squire" of the old school with your feet on the desk, showing the designer labels on your shoes.
But no - I found a strong, well-built man with hands like big pincers, those of a real working man. I saw your desk. It was perfect, all in order, complete with pencil and the various tools and pieces of machinery requiring your final check.. I picked something up, not even knowing what it was used for, but I could see it was perfect.
You offered me a cup of tea, I saw where your employees work, and I could see they are well looked after! There were four machines in the workshop for providing different drinks, everything was in perfect order. I saw where your employees wash their hands, they have eight soap dispensers and plenty of clean towels…
Your employees were not distracted, they carried on working in spite of my presence there; you could see that they love their work.
I have lived in the same block of flats at Cassano since I moved here. I thought I'd find new friends but instead I've found only coldness: never a greeting during the holidays, no interest in other people, absolutely nothing. When I had the farm I had a lot of friends!
There was always something whenever you needed a bite to eat… Now the friends have all gone.
On entering your study my eyes were drawn to one of your lady employees; there on the wall, however, was the Lord of the World, keeping an eye on all of us... Thank you for the videocassettes, I shall let my monsignor watch them, I shall also let him see the pictures, before hanging them on the walls of my home. I see that under your cassettes there are four doves; I also had some… …now they are at the Church of the Risen Christ in my part of the parish; the priest asked me for them to embellish the font when the new church was built. I was married in 1949 and my uncle, monsignor Don Giuseppe Cavagnera, presented me with an alabaster chalice. My uncle lived at Volterra, famous for its alabaster.
There was also a doctor in town and once, he assured me, my chalice could not have gone to a better place - it is a blessing for everyone! I send you my heartfelt greetings, dear Pietro, good health to you and your family, happiness, and may your company always flourish as it does now. There are few people like you about, and you can tell from your eyes that you are a good man. This is all I have to say; I've made one or two wisecracks, but I hope you'll excuse me. When the weather is fine again, I'll pay you another visit.
Best wishes, from a true friend.

P.S. Your Christmas Tree is the Eiffel Tower of Bussero.