Women's Portraits

Gigliola Garassino

An 80-year-old who was born in Belluno but lives in Ferrara, she is a retired teacher with a degree in Mathematics. A widow with two children and a granddaughter, she professes to be very satisfied with her life.

Interview

I have had many positive experiences in the various places I have lived, although I can’t think of any one in particular. I tend not to dwell on negative experiences – that way I avoid suffering.
I didn’t have any particular career ambitions when I was young. Later on I became interested in painting and mathematics, the latter of which I got a degree in and went on to teach.

In general, I have always had the opportunity to dedicate time to my interests. Only after marriage did I not have the opportunity to paint.
For me, family signifies affection and serenity, but it has never been my only aim in life.

I’m satisfied by the way I brought my children up – they are responsible and independent people. Having said this, I now think that I could have avoided making some of the mistakes I made.

I had my children when I was in my thirties, and the period of my life between 40 and 60 was serene – I was doing a job that I loved, I was close to my family, and my free time was filled with holidays, travelling, sport and voluntary work.

It makes me happy to think about my past life. I don’t dwell on the hard times because I think it’s better to look ahead.
The most difficult times in my life were caused by the loss of people dear to me. Experiences that left their mark were the separation of my parents and the time when one of my sons was injured.
Nowadays I no longer take the long trips I used to because I get tired easily. I enjoy the affection of my children and young relatives, I read a lot and I still do voluntary work. I have an interest in politics and the cultural affairs of my city.
My health is very important to me – I attend courses of fitness for the elderly, as well as swimming, cycling and going for walks.

I like to put on a little lipstick and I still like to colour my hair.
At my age, I don’t have particular plans for the future – I only hope that I keep my good health so that I can face the things to come with dignity in this, the final phase of my life.

On the subject of death, I hope to go without undue suffering, and I hope to have the time to say goodbye to my nearest and dearest, without being a burden to them.
The thought them having to deal with my death worries me, but such is life.
I still want to learn many things, and I have realized that the older you get, the more you understand. In this regard I agree with the philosophy of the Japanese painter Hokusai, who I have recently discovered and whose “Old Tiger in the Snow” is, for me, a symbol of future life.

I have a positive opinion of my past life; as for the majority of people, periods of happiness have alternated with periods of strong emotion.
In my view, important life values are all aspects of social relations, which alone allow people to live in harmony, despite some sacrifice.

I advise the younger generations to improve their cultural baggage and to adhere to this tenet:
The only absolute truth is that we are born, we live and we must die. It is therefore our duty to think, decide and act in harmony with ourselves, our peers, the animals and the natural world.”
This obviously entails a great sense of responsibility.

Gabriella Fabbri