Pieces of life interlock to create masterpiece like a puzzle

I try to make the most out of every season, although I am happy the humidity and heat of summer has passed for now.

Happy fall, y’all!

Crisp weather, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, corn mazes, hay rides, fall foliage, apple cider, road trips, jigsaw puzzles.

Jigsaw puzzles? That’s right! In an ever-changing culture, working a puzzle is a timeless activity everyone can enjoy whether together as a family or alone at any time of the year. Working a puzzle may just provide a little calmness.

In the mid-18th century, London engraver and mapmaker John Spilsbury mounted a map on a sheet of wood and cut around the borders of the countries to create a puzzle for children learning geography.

A puzzle craze during the Great Depression offered an inexpensive way to make the days brighter. During World War II, the quality of wooden puzzles declined due to wood being in short supply paving the way for cardboard puzzles.

A rich history rooted in education, jigsaw puzzles with their myriad shapes, sizes, and images, delight seasoned puzzlers and curious beginners of all ages and can be an entertaining pastime.

Jigsaw puzzle market size was valued at approximately $2.15 billion and is expected grow to around $3.04 billion by 2032 according to fortunebusinessinsights.com.

So, don’t wait. Be a part of future statistics and go out and buy yourself a jigsaw puzzle. If you need a suggestion as to which one to choose, perhaps I can help.

A ginormous jigsaw puzzle, released in 2022, is a mere 60,000-piece colorful map of the world. Get out your wallet because the jigsaw of all jigsaws, measuring eight feet tall by 29 feet long, retails for a whopping $800.

Showcasing 187 stunning works from the Dowdle art studio, the completed look comprises 60 different 1,000-piece puzzles, each of which may be completed separately and fully interlocked together.

The masterpiece, “What a Wonderful World,” includes the Pacific Islands, bright lights of Paris, Taj Mahal, and the grandeur of America’s National Parks.

A challenge for even the most proficient puzzlers, the task of putting together 60,000 pieces takes puzzling to new heights. Up for a challenge?

My sweet friend Michelle loved the challenge of a jigsaw puzzle and the more pieces, the greater the challenge. I do wonder how she would feel about 60,000. Whew.

Every edge piece, corner piece, and every piece in between is significant in fitting together to complete a perfect design.

One small section of the puzzle is Europe. Located in the southern part of Europe and occupying a long, boot-shaped peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea is Italy. A place of interest on my bucket list, Italy is endowed with rich history and vibrant culture.

Toscana, “a nation within a nation,” is a picturesque region located in the central part of Italy and its area is about 8,900 square miles. Tuscany is home to Florence, the capital of the Italian Renaissance, the famous Uffizi Gallery, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Wine Capitals-Montepulciano and Montalcino, Santurnia’s natural hot springs, rolling vineyards of Chianti, medieval architecture. A food lover’s paradise offering Ribollito, a hearty vegetable and bread soup; Cantucci e Vin Santo, almond biscuits served with sweet dessert wine.

Tuscany, “a place where haste is an unknown concept.” The secret of the Tuscan lifestyle is to enjoy the moment, whether it’s coffee at a bar, a walk in the hills or a long chat in the piazza. Here, time is measured in emotions, not minutes. How to adopt the concept? Stop looking at the clock and start enjoying every moment. Reduce stress by devoting yourself to quality time, such as a good lunch or a walk in nature. Take a break: an unhurried coffee at the cafe is a daily ritual, tuscanbygc.com.

Got your bags packed yet? Tuscany sounds like an oasis and some day I may journey across the ocean for an authentic Italian Cappuccino, a slice (maybe two) of Tiramisu, or a soak in the hot springs.

But for the time being, I keep my travels simple and drive to the small town of Clifton Forge. Sitting for a spell, I chatted with a dear soul, Ilia Wade, about her life. She knows just as much, if not more, about Italy’s history than Britannica or Google. Lessons learned from her are way more valuable than what any trip could provide.

I will call her Nonna (Italian for Grandma). Her title sounds so sophisticated. That, she is!

Decades of memories, experiences, and challenges comprise the many interlocking pieces of her life. A remarkable, yet rare feat, every single day of her life is ordained by the Lord God and it is apparent that He never ceases to amaze her.

I talked with her children to learn some of the history regarding her life. I am appreciative of the knowledge, wisdom and insight they imparted.

Nonna was born in Piazze, a small Italian village in the region of Tuscany on Oct. 21, 1925. Childhood kept her busy playing with her cousins, specifically her cousin Franca. One of Nonna’s favorite things to do was building things out of slate rocks. At an early age she learned to garden, cook, sew, knit, crochet and those interests followed her into adulthood.

Nonna was 14 years old when Germany invaded Poland and the global effect led to the beginning of WWII. The implications of food scarcity became a daily reality. Fear and anxiety clouded the days and uncertainty of the future made for long nights.

Oftentimes, safety measures sent Nonna and Franca to a convent up in the mountains. They would remain there until it was deemed safe for returning home.

“Nonna’s (and Franca’s) history is marked by the passage of the Italian front in 1944. While their parents remained to guard the homes, Nonna and Franca became refugees in Camporsevoli. They were seized by so much fear and anguish seeing the bombings, so much dust and smoke in the village and surroundings that while going to church they made a vow to become nuns if their parents and their respective homes were saved … Everything went well and the vow was dissolved by a priest from Piazze,” said Giuseppi Gigliotti, Nonna’s relative.

Yearning for home, one of many American soldiers stationed in Florence was Sanford Wade. He was looking forward to spending the evening with fellow soldiers over a traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared and served by the U.S. Army.

Little did he know that he would not only give thanks to God for good food, but also meet the love of his life.

Living in Florence with her aunt, Nonna attended that meal with her cousin, who was dating an American soldier. It was over turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce that she, too, met the love of her life.

Sanford Wade and Ilia Morandi were united in holy matrimony Jan. 12, 1945.

Traveling across the ocean on the Thomas H. Barry, a U.S. Army transport ship, Nonna wanted to meet her husband’s family before he was discharged from service to his country. Docking in New York, she met an Italian woman who accompanied her to the Red Cross.

Nonna traveled by train to Covington to meet her in-laws. Sanford soon joined his wife and thus, new beginnings.

Over the span of several years the dynamic duo raised their six children — Jo, Mike, Thomas, Susan, David, and Marisa (my sister-in-law). Embracing their roles and responsibilities as mom and dad, they parented with passion and purpose.

Never a dull moment in the Wade household. So much to do. Sewing, laundry, cooking, cleaning, gardening. I think I may know why Nonna told me “a few sips of red wine every day is vital for good health.”

Talking with her children, I understand they knew their mom gave wholeheartedly in managing the domestic affairs of their home.

“Home was good,” is the overall thought. Jo emphasized to me that, “although we didn’t have a lot of things, we had enough and we always ate well.”

“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely,” Louisa May Alcott said.

Jo sang to me a song that her mother always sang to her and the others. Evidently, the words made an impact in and on their hearts. The chorus went like this:

“Que sera, sera

Whatever will be, will be

The future’s not ours to see

Que sera, sera

What will be, will be.”

It is only by the grace of the Holy God that he doesn’t allow us to see our future here on this earth. Tragedy comes to every family and the dynamics of all situations impact everyone in different ways.

Sometimes families become weak and they fall apart at the seams and for others the seams remain strong; in this case:

• 1946, a miscarriage.

• 1948, twins Gloria and Robert were born at seven months and both died within 24 hours.

• 1970, Thomas suffered a traumatic brain injury from a vehicle accident and needed 24/7 care the rest of his life.

• Mid-1970s, Mr. Wade was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

• 1980, David, a Marine sergeant stationed in Okinawa, was killed in a heavy equipment accident.

• 1982, Mr. Wade passed away.

• 2023, Thomas passed away.

Compassionately, Nonna cared for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of Thomas, Mr. Wade, all while dealing with grief and anguish of burying David and then years later burying Thomas.

Nonna told me her faith in God and praying to him every day is what holds her together. She knows Christ alone holds the future. Easter is her favorite holiday because it reminds her of Jesus’ resurrection and that continues to give her hope.

She is energized by a daily walk, valuable conversation, good food in moderation and knows every day is a gift. Nonna told me “my life is so blessed.” I am convinced she knows one secret to longevity is making the most out of every season.

Blessed with nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, Nonna continues strong, attending church on Sundays, walking just about every day, chatting with family and friends.

It is mind-boggling for me to think about the many life changes and events of someone celebrating 36,525 days of living on planet earth. Far from a random stroke of luck, turning 100 years young is indeed a gift from the Father Almighty.

The interlocking of many pieces of Nonna’s life is a testament to God’s faithfulness, goodness, grace, and sovereignty.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago,” Ephesians 2:10 NLT.

Nonna exemplifies an extraordinary beauty inside that I admire. She knows the meaning behind the motto, “Bloom where you are planted,” and she has done just that very well.

I am willing to bet that all who know Nonna would agree she is indeed a masterpiece.

Buon Compleanno, Nonna!

What a wonderful world.

P.S. Buon 100th Compleanno, Mrs. Franca!

P.P.S. Heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Wade, Jo, Mike, Susan, and Marisa for sharing with me the many memories that warm your soul.