Title
Diego Delfino — Letter to his Daughter, 1925/6/26
Creators
Delfino, Diego
Contributors
Cancian, Sonia (translation and transcription)
Date
June 26, 1925
Description
Letter from Diego Delfino of Bellaire, Ohio, to his daughter of Reggio Calabria, Italy.
Geographic Locations
Continents: Europe :: North America
Countries: ITALY :: UNITED STATES
States: Ohio
Cities: Bellaire :: Reggio Calabria
Countries: ITALY :: UNITED STATES
States: Ohio
Cities: Bellaire :: Reggio Calabria
UMedia Archive
link to original record and high resolution viewer
June 26 1925. Figlia mia cara, Ho ricevuto una tua lettera in data dell’8 corrente, nella quale scrivi pure a Giovannino, tuo fratel- lo, il quale si trova insieme a Cosimo ricoverato a New York sotto la cura del St. Joseph Convent colle monache, le quali usano ogni amorevole attenzione per la loro educazione. Non comprendo come mai ti sii persuasa che tu abbii una sorellina nata da recente; poiche’ l’ultimo fra- tellino a nome Diego compisce il secondo anno Luglio 2 cor., e si trova con me; e, il quale non differisce dagli altri fra- telli, data la sua viva intelligenza ed irritabilita’; mentre dall’altro canto non intende di baciare chicchessia, incluso me e la buon’anima della tua mamma. Non vi e’ mezzo poterlo persuadere. In casa corre come un galletto e nell’ufficio mi mette sossopra ogni cosa, tanto che non basta sgridarlo, ma fargli di sovente, sentire qualche scappellotto; ed egli mor- tificato, ricorre alla donna che lo ha in cura in cerca di pie- ta’ e protezione. Godo tanto di saperti in salute, come pure di me e dei fratellini tutti, nonche’ del progresso che fai nello studio per consolare il mio cuore trafitto dalla recen- te sventura che sbando’ e sprofondo’ la famiglia. Va’ bene! Continueremo a soffrire colla stessa rassegnazione che ci ha guidati da tanto tempo sotto l’usbergo dei santi (2) nella speranza che un giorno il dstino crudele e feroce, stan- co delle abituali persecuzioni, che con coraggio e costanza nel non breve cammino della vita, io passai, sanguinante for- se, sofferente, ma sempre vittorioso, mutera’ intenzione e, sconfitto e pentito scomparira’ nelle ombre ove non iunge pe- regrin se non smarrito. Ed ora, amata ed adorata Mary del mio cuore, tu che formi la piccola base della future magione, il baluardo inespugnabile che erigerai nel fermo suolo l’emblema della vir- tu’ e dell’amore ove il profumo piu’ imbalsamante ed aromatico espandera’ gli effluvii celesti e coronera’ lo spazio del tuo domestico focolare delle gioe purissime incantatrici della me- schina umanita’; io saro’ spettatore sereno ed indiscrimato di quanto possa tornare pel tuo esclusivo bene. Vivi felice, o ancella diletta, e ricorda il tuo povero padre lontano, il qua- le, sebbene ferito nella piu’ intima fibra del supremo muscolo involontario, pure sa’ resistere agli oltraggi della natura con indifferenza e cinismo, sempre superbo di combattere e vincere. E qui, ripeto con D Annunzio : Senza orgoglio ripetei la parola cotidiana del moi compito : « TOCCA A ME SOLO » Non t’invio i saluti dei fratelli da me lontani, Ma gli abbracci e i baci deliziosi di un afflitto Padre. P.S. Spero fra qualche mese di ritirare i tuoi fratelli con me, poiché Giovannino quando mi scrive sempre mi parla di venire a casa. Gli scriverò che tu hai scritto [note written in handwriting]
My dear daughter, I received your letter dated the 8th of this month, in which you also write to Giovannino, your brother who is staying with Cosimo in New York under the care of the nuns of the Convent of St. Joseph, who provide loving attention for their education. I don’t understand how you became convinced that you have a little sister that was recently born; as the youngest brother, named Diego, is turning two years old on July 2 of this year, and is with me now; he is not dissimilar from his brothers, given his vivid intelligence and irritability; on the other hand, he doesn’t kiss just anyone, including myself and the good soul of your mother. There is no way anyone can convince him otherwise. At home, he roams like a little rooster and in my office, he turns everything upside-down so much so that it’s not enough to scream at him; but rather, give him a few spankings. At that point, he becomes mortified and runs to the woman who takes care of him, in search of pity and protection. I am very happy to learn that you’re in good health, the same is for me and all your little brothers, coupled with the progress you’re making for your studies. This consoles my heart, that is tormented by our recent misfortune that broke our family apart and threw us into the depths of despair. Alright! We’ll continue to suffer with the same resignation that has guided us for a long time under the protection of the Saints as we remain hopeful that one day our cruel and ferocious fate, tired of its usual persecutions—which I suffered with courage and perseverance throughout the long path of my life, a courage and perseverance that was blood-soaked and steeped in sorrow, perhaps, but always triumphant—will change course and, defeated and regretful, will vanish in the shadows where no pilgrim goes unless he is lost. And now, my beloved Mary of my heart, you who gives shape to the little base of the future dwelling, the impregnable fortress that you will erect on the firm soil the emblem of virtue and love where the most embalming and aromatic perfume will expand to the heavenly flows crowning the space of your domestic fireplace with the purest, enchanting joys of wretched humanity, I shall be the serene and indiscriminate spectator of what may turn into your exclusive good. I will be a peaceful and indiscriminate spectator for which you can return to for your own good. Live happily, beloved handmaid, and remember your poor father who is so far away. While he has been hurt in the most intimate fibre of the supreme involuntary muscle, he nonetheless knows how to resist nature’s affronts with indifference and cynicism, always ready to fight and win. Here, I repeat D’Annunzio’s words: Without pride, I repeated The daily word for my task: “IT’S ONLY UP TO ME” I can’t send you greetings from your brothers who are far away from me, but I send you the delightful embraces and kisses of an afflicted Father. P.S. I hope to pull your brothers out and have them stay with me, especially since Giovannino, when he writes to me, always talks about coming home. I’ll let them know that you have written.
