Signora Sheila

Chestnuts, an open fire, and the importance of finding joy in the simple things.

The fire didn’t heat better out of the fireplace. All it really did was create more smoke! Although no one would ever convince the dear, stubborn, old man of that! Yet we fondly remember those simple evenings of reading by the fire in my father-in-law’s home as some of the most delightful evenings of our lives, even with the choking smoke and burning eyes!

Those days of the early 1990s in that rural Italian village largely untouched by time were slow and simple. With little entertainment: no cinema or shopping center, no bowling alley or spa. Papà didn’t even have a phone or TV, and this was before PCs and cell phones were common. 

So there wasn’t much to do. Only men went to the coffee bars, to argue over card games, puffing on the ubiquitous cigarettes, glasses of beer or brandy in hand. Us women? We had the mini-supermarket (and I do mean mini), the butcher shop, and the tiny, open-air market once a week. We were supposed to stay home and cook and clean, anyway!

The joy of simple things

Those were lean years for our family – with little money, no washing machine, and no car. A common description of life for many missionary families.

But I’m glad we went through them, because they taught us how important it is to make the most of things and find joy in the little things.

We couldn’t afford “entertainment” anyway, so we made our own free entertainment! Like my first attempt at roasting chestnuts!

Now I ask you – have you ever thought of chestnuts as good, free entertainment? Well neither had I, until I blew my father-in-law right out his chair with them!

Just in case you’ve never roasted chestnuts before let me explain how it’s done – at least according to my husband. “Just throw them in the fire,” he said. So I did. But he forgot the important little detail of cutting a long slit in the shells first!

So remember that small step! Your family will thank you, along with your father-in-law. And even the dog. or whoever else is in the room! Otherwise they explode and shoot around the room like piping hot missiles. Like corn popping, if you’re stupid enough to take the lid off the pan!

Poor Papà, calmly enjoying his after-dinner smoke. The unexpected explosions sent him reeling backwards from his chair, staggering and sputtering! He was in his 70’s at the time. And looking back, I’m so thankful he didn’t fall or have a heart attack!

And that he was more patient than his gruff exterior suggested. Because he didn’t get angry at this dumb daughter-in-law. But then, he had always loved me, right from the very beginning. I loved his son, and that was enough for him.

With Hubby, however, it was another matter… “Why didn’t you slice them first?” he asked, irritated. “Because you didn’t tell me to!” I shot back. “You just said to throw them in! So I did!”

But I wasn’t really paying attention to him at the time. I was watching Papà. He had a bad habit of muttering under his breath. He’d puff on his cigarette, then mumble curses. Take another puff, and mumble some more. Until he worked up enough steam to spout off about whatever was bothering him. 

It was rather like watching a volcano getting ready to explode. And just then, there was a lot of angry puffing and ominous muttering was going on! Oh, what had I done?

And then he interruped our argument with a belly laugh, and went on for a while. Chuckling and shaking his head, no doubt wondering if his stupid American daughter-in-law knew how to do anything at all!

The Value of Simple Things

That time reminds me that it doesn’t take much to have fun. And in fact, that sometimes the fun can even come from having little!

Granted, we didn’t have a car – but even that created special adventures. Like our “fun” bus and train rides that our kids still remember. And long family walks with plenty of time for conversation, singing, and silliness.

We had little money – but we also had few bills, almost no commercial pressures, and no electronic distractions.

But often when the budget is tight, it’s easy to feel like we’re missing out. We forget to be grateful and we start wishing for more.

But when we look for joy in the simple things, we begin to see that we already have so much of what really matters. And with that comes great freedom.

6 things simplicity can free us to do:

1. Appreciate everything that has true and lasting value.
2. Use our time and money wisely so that we can focus on our ministry.
3. Teach our family the wisdom of not chasing after mere things.
4. Cultivate true and lasting contentment.
5. Make do with what we have, even if it’s very little.
6. Value making memories more than accumulating possessions and money.

We had little, but we were happy. Family togetherness, no commercial stress, no electronic distractions. We learned the joy of making our own fun, without the need for outside stimulation. (Which the interesting townspeople provided free of charge anyway!)

Today, such simple pleasures probably seem hopelessly dull. But they created rich memories for us. Treasures that are still meaningful and special, even after so many years.

Things come and go. But memories can bring a lifetime of pleasure, even ones as simple as bursting chestnuts. Which were so delicious – once we gathered them from every corner of the room!

📷 Image credits: feet; popcorn; others are mine