Sadness

Yesterday our new family and friends left. It was an unfortunate situation. Without gossip and value judgements, it was a pretty necessary thing. They arrived Saturday night, as mentioned and we all ate a late dinner, chatted, and it was a pretty crazy house. But since it was Saturday and the first night there was nothing less to be expected. We all drank wine, and dinner wasn't over until about midnight... Fn but not what you would expect every night. Sunday was a pretty long day. The kids were trying to get used to being entertained by a farm, although they played with the kids here pretty well. The parents were trying to watch the kids, but also figure out how to perform some jobs on the farm. They really wanted to contribute, but also had to keep the kids out of the way. They also had to figure out how to take care of the kids in someone else's home, things like where to change a diaper, or make a snack, or what to make...shower, etc. all the things you take for granted when you have your own space. Then sunday night we all went to lanciano and helped a friend cut grass, then we had pizza for dinner. The new family stayed here, in hopes of acclimating to the environment without anyone else around to judge or direct them, but I think they just felt left out and in the dark. Both sides are perfectly rational, they just don't work together. Monday was nice, the kids played together, and got to ride horseback. Zabeth and I had a good time watching them a little while we worked with their mom in the garden, or on the horses. As things got better outside though, it was still difficult in the common areas, picking up toys, having kids crying and running around, and trying to organize eleven schedule including four kids around one common task. We hoped though that eventually everyone would start to mould to the environment, and things would slowly change and we would be one big happy family. Wednesday was a holiday, and once again the family was left alone to celebrate and have time together while the rest of us went to work in another olive grove. Wether they had a good or bad day I don't think it mattered, they probably felt a little isolated. We all ate together Wednesday night, it was tense again with all the commotion but what else could there be... Yesterday Carlo and Gunda asked the family to make some changes that they thought were necessary for the experience to work out, we weren't involved in the convo and avoiding gossip and speculation, let's just say the changes were deemed too much and the family promptly packed up their things. They were still welcomed for lunch, but they hardly ate and it was a tense and weird situation. I know they are sad and disappointed that it didn't work out as hoped. Zabeth and I were pretty sad as well because we made good friends, the mother was just a little older than us. The kids were pretty cute and I think if they were visiting us or vice versa we would have no problem entertaining, watching, scolding, or enjoying them. But on the farm it wasn't so easy, and so they left.