ORAZIO

When the war was closer to its beginning in 1939, the eldest brother Orazio was among the many who were sent off to fight in the war. Gabriele watched the heartbreak that resided deep inside the hearts of his parents. He watched as his mother and father wept for their eldest son, their only redemption was from the letters he would send to them that would be received every few months.

Though, as time went on by the letters had stopped. The brave soldier was kept a prisoner of war for seven years. Seven years without family, and without love.

For food he was given a potato to save for the day. One uncooked, and unskinned potato that somehow helped him survive another torturous day.

His location changed from Libya, to England, to South Africa, but his living conditions did not.

"Non c'era spazio per dormire, sleep outside like donkey, like animal."

"There wasn't room to sleep..."

Upon his long awaited return Orazio had arrived home unrecognizable. The hollows in his cheeks had darkened, just as under his eyes had. His bones were predominately visible under his thin, white skin. Orazio preferred not to speak about everything he had gone through with his family. And the memories haunted him for the rest of his life.

"Quando è tornato, era molto secco e magro."

"When he returned he was very dry and skinny."

Orazio lived on and became healthier. His cheeks filled out and slowly regained their colour as he learnt to laugh again. He later got married to a beautiful woman and started a family as he continues to live his life, just as he would have before the war.