Nearly three years ago, my hubby and I moved from New York City to a hillside Sicilian village. We'd bought a home current remotely, without seeing it in individual until multiple months following the closing.
During the unconventional process, my now-75-year-old parents, based in Colorado, were our biggest supporters. We had lengthy phone calls, during which we reviewed the pros and cons of all property.
They were as immersed in the adventure as we were. Sometimes, they'd equal conversation concerning "our home in Sicily" — as if we were buying them a Mediterranean home.
Still, I concerned concerning how they'd awareness whenever we decided to move current full-time. My dad's response: "We idea you'd do it sooner." Then, my parents started preparedness their archetypal visit.
The hardest part of moving to Italy was leaving my aging parents
Supporting aging parents is emotionally fraught in the finest of circumstances. Most of my allies in the US are struggling alongside it correct now. Since my hubby had lately misplaced the two of his parents, we spent two months visiting quarry before our one-way escape to Italy.
As if to run residence my worries, one night during this time, my dad had a health scare. He misplaced consciousness, and it took what felt akin an eternity to revive him.
Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, and we learned that thankfully, he'd be OK — but for a few moments, I idea I was losing my dad.
Leaving felt akin abandoning my family. In the years ahead, additional attention responsibilities would apt autumn to my younger sister, who lives in Colorado near my parents.
My own chronic health issues additionally meant regular trips rear to the US wouldn't be realistic. I fair hoped that I could be helpful and supportive from afar.
My parents' archetypal sojourn to Italy was a semi-disaster
After giving us a twelvemonth to resolve in Sicily, my parents planned their archetypal monthlong visit. They arrived in mid-January 2025, and from the get-go, nearly everything went awry.
They caught a norovirus during traveling, most excursions were rained out, and I blended up the dates for the celebration we'd scheduled their remain around. Oh, and the stray cat we'd been feeding had a litter of kittens in our kitchen! There was one distinctive highlight: My parents attended the oath ritual for my Italian citizenship by marriage.
Despite that argent lining, I idea they would never desire to come back following so much chaos. But my parents are adventurous group — my dad worked as a Merchant Marine to put himself through college, afterward became a king crabber in Alaska. My mom spent years as a free-spirited hippie in California before studying art history.
On the days I worked, they explored our settlement on their own. They bought caller bread at the bakery and picked up meat, cheese, and new allies at the macelleria.
Then my dad projected an unexpected excursion: asset viewings.
A astonishment chance to rotate into neighbors changed our thinking
Our local genuine asset delegate stated she had item particular to display us: a newly listed three-bedroom house in our neighborhood.
Updated for one-floor living to assistance aging in place, the home equal had a sizable (by Italian standards) walk-in shower. Upstairs were two additional bedrooms, a fractional bath, and two enormous terraces ideal for farming and grilling, several of my dad's favorite pastimes.
The finest part? It was a 30-second stroll from my home.
We all knew this home was the one. We loved the property, and additionally what it represented: a chance to reimagine our forthcoming yet again. Our recommendation was quickly accepted, although the way to decision has been slow.
My move to Italy brought us nearer together
My parents returned for another duration that fountain and for three months this year. We were motionless waiting for the home to close, so finding short-term rentals in our non-touristy settlement was stressful but value it.
We saw snow on Mount Etna, toured UNESCO World Heritage sites, shopped at bustling seafood and create markets, and spent hours getting misplaced on scenic backroads. My parents shared stories concerning their lives, several I'd never heard before.
For now, my parents scheme to expend part of the twelvemonth here, splitting their period near the two of their daughters. A full-time move is a forthcoming possibility, though, so I've been keeping an eye on visa requirements.
I'm grateful that my 75-year-old parents are discovering new opportunities current in Italy. Now, alternatively of expanding additional distant — divided by an sea and two continents — we're making lists of age- and mobility-appropriate forthcoming adventures.
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Camellia Phillips is a freelance author and adviser living in Melilli, Sicily, alongside her husband, novelist Marco Rafalà. Raised by hippies in Washington State, Camellia built a 20-year nonprofit fundraising occupation in New York City, chasing the aspiration of making an effect alongside her words. Today, she prefers the sleepy bustle of small-town existence in Sicily, anywhere she can compose additional and hustle less.
