In Prato, the city of the Biscuit Factory and our family

Like every year in January, I had made a nice list of things to write about for this blog; the theme of this year has been travel, seeing each month from a different perspective. 
The November blog title was supposed to be: "Our journey never ends, packs of biscuits and gift boxes around the world," but... I couldn't write it.

It seemed absurd to talk about Christmas gifts when around us so many homes and businesses have been flooded, lives have been devastated, shaken! ...and even though us and the historical centre were spared from the flood we are still stunned and disoriented.

I saw horrifying images and videos that filled chats and social media, but at the same time, I also saw a lot of people and particularly young people with boots and shovels on the front lines, shovelling mud, and many, so many others, offering all kinds of help to people in need.

So, the space of this blog is dedicated not only to all those who have lost so much and are in great difficulty, but also to the good things I have seen with my own eyes... to all those who, together, rolled up their sleeves and helped people in need.

I’ve decorated the Mattei shop silently this year for Christmas, I’ve set up a beautiful nativity scene inside the shop, and I’ve put lights everywhere... A huge amount of Christmas lights so that the outside light reflects the light that each one of us carries within ourselves... 

...and may the warmth of our ovens and the smell of our biscuits somehow warm the soul and heart of every "pilgrim" whether they are from Prato or not!

Letizia Pandolfini