My Italian heritage has always played a significant role in my life. My parents, Elmer and Elva, were born in America, but my maternal grandparents, Pasquale and Lucia, were from small villages in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Growing up, my brother and I were surrounded by our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in a close-knit family. My relationship with my grandfather, whom we affectionately called “Grandpap” was particularly special and taught me a great deal about love. Being part of this wonderful family instilled in me a deep appreciation for the gift of life and a passion for travel. I am excited to share the story of my travels to Italy, where I researched my grandparents’ history and discovered both of their villages. Throughout this journey, I experienced joy, received graces, and built relationships with locals like Alessandro and Massimo (who we now know is a cousin!). It was a miraculous adventure that helped me understand why my Grandpap, after enjoying a glass of his homemade wine, would gaze into the distance and sigh, “Ahh, Corcumello.”