The Everything Store

Maria Pia and the most beautiful pot for our Peace Plant - Grazie!!

I grew up learning to read via books of poetry my mother would read in her sing-song voice and as I walked through the doors of the Everything Store I could hear mom's voice "Jonathan Jo has a mouth like an O and a wheelbarrow full of surprises, if you ask for a bat or something like that, he has it no matter the size is..."  The amazing Everything Store in Piegaro is just like that, just ask and they will have whatever it is an an assortment of sizes.  Socks, slippers, potting soil, household cleaner, ceramic pots, and cappuccino cups are among the array of things I popped in for and got to see the array that would come off of shelves reaching the ceiling.
Maria Pia, Gian Pietro and their daughter Cristiana operate this little piece of paradise, and they are always willing to serve to the greatest of their ability.  A little language  issue was a barrier they were always willing to to overcome to help find exactly what is needed.  My favorite time visiting the shop was when I was in need of one more pot, a rather largish one, for a Peace Plant.  While I was roaming the pots out front and looking at the prices, I must have made quite a face, because Maria Pia lept up, "Un atimo!"  When she returned she had a beautiful white pot with a glorious shape, "Picollo defetto" and pointed to a small line inside the pot that did not show through to the outside, a very minor crack, "Cinque Euros" - less than 1/2 the price of the others.  God bless her, she truly was about getting what was needed, I simply couldn't afford a more expensive pot, but she provided the most beautiful one for what I could afford.
That was so much of the family way to bring out what was needed.  It was Cristiana who told us we MUST be at the processione, one of the most spiritual moments of my life.  It was Gian Pietro who was the first to totally "pose" for my camera as I gathered pictures of all these beloved neighbors in Piegaro.  But one thing I so appreciated about the family was their great conservation spirit - they are the first store owners I ever met who would sit outside their shop, or in a doorway on a rainy day, with all the lights off.  The electricity isn't used until the customers come, then Maria Pia, Gian Pietro or Cristiana light up with the lights of the store, smiling and ready to serve.  In a church where we are constantly attempting to live fully "green" these folks have the habit down pat, without stifling their hospitality!
I look forward to returning to Piegaro and asking about their family business, how long in the family, will Cristiana keep the store into the future, how do they gather such an amazing array of merchandise for such a fabulous shop, do they find the store as wonderful as I do????   How can I say thank you for truly being so present to one traveler's basic needs???   I love these guys!!

Gian Pietro poses as the Processione passes by.

Cristiana as always calling out a friendly greeting!!