THE BEST OF MAS® BLOG

The golden years of my childhood: we spent all our time together, totally genuine and free. .We used to spend the whole of summertime in Maremma Tuscany in a town called Follonica. Barbara and I were the same age (well just a year’s difference) and our parents were best friends, so we were virtually like sisters. Then there was Susanna, my cousin, three years smaller than me who did nothing but follow me and ‘Babi’ around all day. Then there was Duccio my cousin: he was the ‘grown up’ one, 3 years older than me and apart from considering him my absolute guru he was like an elder brother and he still is up to this day, somebody I can always count on. Duccio had a group of ‘bad boys’, well that’s what we thought they were, because they were older, a bit naughty and did exactly what they wanted whereas our lives were made out of massive sets of rules the whole time…..so when they were around, I felt part admiration and part a bit wary. Amongst the ‘bad boys, there were three with the same name, all three Andrea; Andrea the good looker, Andrea the naughty one and Andreino, (little Andrew). I wasn’t frightened of him, he came from Siena, very good looking, curly black hair and bright blue eyes that spoke to you, but more than anything else it was his character, happy go lucky, his never ending desire to have fun and enjoy life, pure positive energy.  And it is with him that I associate my childhood, that I was lucky enough to share with the right people. We lost touch when I was around 19, but when we met up again a few times in Siena and it was always the same magic every time. We could speak for hours and each time it was as though we had never lost each other, that not even a minute had gone by since we were kids running around on the beach together. If I think of him now, now that I’ve turned 50, I always picture him that way, the black curly hair the blue eyes and his enchanting smile, happy and care free putting you immediately in a good mood.

Three days ago I heard the tragic news of his premature death, this is just so wrong, it completely shook me as though it had taken away that part of my life, that I have always treasured in my heart like a gem. It was his fun attitude, carefree, love of life, always positive and so full of energy, they have all disappeared with him but I will always keep his smile inside of me. I want to  remember him like that, because if we don’t forget about the people we lose, they never really go, so both that smile and the bright blue eyes will live forever in the memory of all our friends and all those that had met him. 

I have a special blessing for his son, whom I totally feel for and understand and will forever be close to him because I too have been down that dark and scary road ( when my father died at the same age as Andreino and I was just 19) 

It goes without saying that I would like to express my infinite love and care for Luisa, now that I am a mother, I can see and feel her pain, what she has gone through and will have to face just goes against nature. Good bye Andreino, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to have lived part of my life with you, go on….as you always used to: with that never ending smile where ever you may be right now.