Women's Portraits

Teresa Bazzanini

77 year-old woman, former teacher of primary school, graduated at high school specializing in education, married, 5 daughters and 8 grandchildren. Satisfied with her life, she wishes to keep her health, to have a great grandchild and to have a peaceful death. She uses Internet habitually.

Interview

1930 - 1950
I was born in 1934 and became orphan of my father when I was 5. My mother grew me up with worship of his memory.
I remember the terror for the first bombing. I evacuated the city on a cart drawn by oxen bearing our household belongings. It took nearly one day to do 20 km. That period was the best of my childhood; we were in the country and I could freely play in the courtyard with other 12 children. I was an only daughter and I used to play alone, so that was paradise for me. We used to live outside from morning till night altogether as a horde playing furiously. I remember the nights, the smoke scent of the fireplaces burning to prepare the dinner, it was the hour when reluctantly we used to go home.
After every bombing we got back to Ferrara by bicycle (20 km) to check whether our home was still standing. The road was of clay, we needed to pay attention not to enter the wheels into cart tracks when it had recently rained.
I remember the heart-throb when, passed over the S. George's bridge, we saw the ruins caused by the bombs. I was 9.

1950 – 1970
I graduated as a teacher in July and in September I passed the qualifying examination for the primary school. I taught two years in a Switzerland boarding school, then I found a job in Italy. I got married and I had 5 daughters. I gained the competitive education examination when I already had 3 children. During the day I worked 8 successive hours, then at home I took care of my children. I went to attend lessons from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. after putting the children to bed.

1970 – 1990
Grown up the daughters, I hoped to have some more time for myself, but my mother, who always helped me a lot, had a fast and inexorable senile decay that went on for 7 years. Even going on in working I was able to keep her at home with me, thanks to the help of my 3 elder daughters, who took turns at caring their grandmother.

1990
I retired and I retook possession of my time. I could do all that things I couldn't before because of work and family: travels, singing, cultural courses, friends... and more time to dedicate to myself. Then I helped in growing up 6 grandchildren here in Italy and 2 in Holland.

A bad experience of my childhood was my father's death, I missed him a lot, he was the one who helped me dressing, who took me out for strolls, who played with me and who built toys for me. I was 5. I was told he went up to heaven, I remember  that, hoping him to see me, I used to run for long time in the garden.

A close family is strength. I had always been helpful to my daughters, I taught them to be helpful and supportive between each others. My sons-in-law are well integrated and altogether we are very strong.
Each person of the family does his life, but if one of us calls for a problem we all run to him, nobody shirks.
This is for me a great satisfaction.
Of course I prefer to get off by myself, but sometimes we all need an help, in case of accident or disease for example.

During the life, there are difficult moments to go through. As for me, a difficult moment was my father's death and economic difficulties until I started to work.
Also growing up 5 children was not easy, I was always asleep on my feet and I didn't have time to dedicate to myself.
Another difficult moment was when my mother became sick and I took care of her for many years.
Last ordeal for me was when I was operated of tumour.

I never withdrew into myself and I'm persuaded that there is always something or someone to live for. I make a lot of plans and I often arrive to realize them.
I'm very happy about my life although the difficult moments.
I suggest to young generations to strongly believe in something, not to close their heart to the outside world, to have always something to do and to do it enthusiastically.

Susanna Stasi