January 12, 1947. Letter from Vincenzo Vivo to Giuseppina Vivo

January 12, 1947. Letter from Vincenzo Vivo to Giuseppina Vivo

Italy -- Emigration and immigration -- History, Italian letters, Italians -- United States -- History -- 20th century

Vincenzo writes to his wife whom his affectionately calls “his dear Giulietta”. He is overjoyed to learn of her good health over this past year since she has suffered so many headaches in the past. His prayers are being answered. He recognizes that life is fleeting, and that happiness is so important, and he feels that it is an injustice that they have comforts that his own grandchild does not. He asks his wife not to hesitate to ask him for money for these needs. Vincenzo praises his wife’s beauty and tells her how much he cherishes the photo she sent. It seems like a century since he last saw her and cannot wait to embrace her. He awakes in the morning depressed because she is not there and leaves for the store (“storo”) at 8 with Tomasso. He spends the day there. His leg no longer hurts since he is in America. Vincenzo discusses the breakdown of the items he has sent, including mention of a dress for her and for Rosina and a suit for Giuseppina’s brother. $50 was sent to don Guigliermo for Giuseppina. He thanks her for deciphering something that was in a letter he had written to Peppino which they thought was English but apparently they just could not interpret Vincenzo’s handwriting. Vincenzo is happy to learn that his wife has been dancing (reference to Angelino playing the tarantella in previous letters). He says she will have a good time when they attend parties (“pari’”) in America or when they go to “campagna” (which may be a reference to the region or to the countryside). Vincenzo mentions that he received seven letters from various family members and is responding to one per day. He learned that of a warehouse in Napoli which housed packages from America was burned by arson. He hopes none of the packages he has sent were lost. He signs Vincenzo Vivo Romeo.

Vincenzo Vivo

John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College, City University of New York

John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College, City University of New York

1947-01-12

Domenica Diraviam

John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College, City University of New York

Paper

it

Letter

Brooklyn, US-NY