My mom and her sister in 1936. On the back is an inscription written in pencil script by my grandmother in German. It is likely this photo was taken in northern Italy; mom told me they stayed in San Colombano. My mom, Gisella, was 8 years old when this photo was taken. Her sister, Lilly, (who I was named for) was 6. My mom and her sister were very close. I love how my mom has her arm so casually draped over Lilly’s shoulder. Big Sis. A favorite family pastime was hiking in the mountains.
.
They grew up in Milan during World War II and had to go to the mountains for school to escape the bombings. So the mountains represented a lifelong place of refuge for them.
.
When I showed this picture to my mom the other day, she said “well we had straight legs! no bowlegs!” Staying healthy and strong during war, getting proper nutrition would have been a challenge. My Zia Lilly passed away two weeks ago. May she be resting peacefully in the eternal embrace of the mountains.
.
~shared by @musiva