It's Australia Day, it's still raining, all outdoor celebrations have been cancelled. Floods predicted for some parts of Brisbane. Tornadoes around Bundaberg. It feels like most of the city has bunkered down at home, abandoning the usual larrikin behaviour that today brings out.
I sometimes wonder what it means to be Australian. How is it meant to feel?
I'd like you to grow up feeling connected to both my country and daddy's home in Italy. I often think about how we can help make that your reality. But I don't want you to feel torn between the two countries. Instead I hope you'll be a true citizen of the world moving comfortably between both cultures and languages.
I suspect the sacrifice we will make in order for that to happen will be larger than I realise right now. But it's not your burden. We want you to know and love both extended families. That will involve regular trips to Europe, maybe some schooling there and maybe Italian lessons when we are based in Australia.
It's going to sometimes be complicated, sometimes confusing. My ultimate hope though is that being a dual citizen will truly be rewarding.
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