Stories by giovanni (3 matches)

Renewing My Father's Smile

Last Sunday I visited my parents as I do every Sunday. My 84 year old Dad seemed unusually worried, so I asked him if anything was the matter. He silently gave me a letter from his motor insurance company to read. In two sentences they informed him that they would no longer be able to insure his small truck and that he can call the undersigned for further clarification. I told him not to worry and that I would take care of the matter.  The next day I called the undersigned to get clarification. To sum it up, it did not matter to the insurance company that my Dad spent 50 years paying the premium, but what mattered was that in his first accident (last August) the company had to fork out € 8,942. From then on for three days I visited or phoned almost every broker or insurance company to try and ... Read Full Story >>

Did You Forget How to Laugh?

Yesterday, I went over to my sister's home to provide some  emotional support for her, as she was in need. She needed help in overseeing the work of the plumber who had come to unblock the troubled sewage system in the home. Wanting to reassure her through this event,  I showed up at her doorstep 15 minutes before the plumber did and when I walked in, her pained look and frown suddenly lifted as her desperation came to a halt.   I knew from her face that it wasn't just the plumbing problem that was upsetting her, but rather she faced a deeper challenge that extended beyond any practical issue relating to household management.  My sister embraced me closely, made me coffee, and while waiting for our upcoming plumber, we clinked our coffee mugs together, and I began recounting some rather slapstick moments of my life to see if I could sustain a smile on her face.   Although we did not explicity discuss the main issue that plagued my sister daily,  I knew that she had been enduring quite ... Read Full Story >>

1 Hour = New Life

One of my tenants has passed through a  bad patch after her husband started neglecting the family by not going to work.  She finally left her husband and is now faced with raising their 3 children by herself. Last week I made it a point to dedicate some time to her.  She has not been working for a long time and it is difficult for her to get any social benefits. I picked her up from her rented apartment and took her to my wife’s boss who needs someone to take care of his home. Everything went very well and he gave her the job right there and then. Then I drove her to his house so that she would not get lost the next day which was to be her first day of work. I have also granted her permission to accommodate language students to generate some extra income ... Read Full Story >>

My Hour On the Streets of New York