Italians in My Paper Bag

<p>I traveled the world and I spoke to the oracles. In China I asked the ancient Terra Cotta Warriors. In Sweden I asked the Great Moose. On the Amazon River I asked the Ancient Tree. But none could answer my question. What has happened to the Italians I had believed were in my paper bag of life? </p><p>Trying to piece together the story of my Italian connection has been like trying to put a watermelon into a coke bottle although I do believe that trying to fold a fitted sheet is harder. </p><p>My Italian great-grandfather Antonio Capuano Pavarno died at the great old age of ninety-seven. Emanuele Fontanini of The House of Fontanini in Lucca Italy died at the great old age of ninety-seven. My beloved friend Rhonda Fleming film and television actress and singer renowned for her exquisite beauty died at the great old age of ninety-seven. In Italy most of her films were dubbed by Dhia Cristiani. Perhaps I too shall live to a great old age. </p><p>But at the age of thirty-three I still believed that I was Italian. That was before the DNA test.</p>