Professors

The door opens and the first professor walks through the door. I love him already. He has a big smile on his face and fills the room with voice saying, “Buona sera!”

One by one the rest come through the door and we are greeted with “Ciao” and “Buona sera.” Some of them speak Italian with Larry and Debbie and I wish I could understand. It’s so beautiful to hear the room full of this language and see smiles and laughter and kisses on cheeks. They are all so different and unique. They bring wine and pastries which is a social norm in Italy to bring a gift to someone’s home.

Debbie has been cooking all day so our mouths are watering as the apple crisp is baking.

I talk with a few of the professors and learn where they are from, what class they are teaching and how long they have been with the program. They all seem to love getting to teach.

I talk with one professor and realize that this is Leonardo. The one we were talking about earlier who is a world renouned scholar on the history of the church. Fan girling over here!

I ask him what he hopes to accomplish in his teaching. He tells me three things.

1. To make the ancient texts come alive.

2. To help students see the big picture of scripture in history.

3. To help students appreciate studying in Rome and the history of the city and it’s relationship to the church.

Yes, I want to take his class. Yes, I want to take all their classes. I want to learn from these people, I want to soak it all up.

Dinner continues as we pass the chicken, salad, and rice around the table. We share stories and laugh. And we go around the room to introduce ourselves and end by praying for the semester.

It’s time for them to leave and I don’t want them to go!

One professor comes up to me and I can tell she is going to do a kiss on the cheek. I hesitate a moment and then get a peck on both cheeks. My first real Italian goodbye.

Debbie tells me later that you kiss to the right first! Notes for next time!