Love is like that one star in the constellation, beyond the earth’s sky, that shines down on that one leaf shining on a mountain, that overlooks the ocean, beholding that one grain of sand, that is carried to the shore, to feel the warmth of the sun, the same kind of warmth as two, two standing as one. So lend me your ear and I’ll tell you the story about “The Well-Wisher.”

Enzo loved spending time with his grandfather, Nonno Franco. He looked forward to weekends at Nonno’s every weekend at Nonno’s work sweeping the confetti from the church. Enzo loved to hear Nonno’s stories growing up in Italy. He especially loved hearing about the day his Nonno fell in love. “It was amore Enzo, amore,” his Nonno sang proud.

Nonno passed away unexpectedly when Enzo was twenty two. For as long as Enzo could remember he had rarely missed a weekend sweeping the confetti from the church steps and visited the priest and asked for his grandfather’s job. The priest explained he didn’t know any man by the name Franco and insisted that the wind had always blown the confetti away.
Enzo went home confused and told his Nonno what the priest had said. His Nonno sighed, knowing the time had arrived and handed Enzo a letter left for him from his grandfather.

My dearest Enzo,
It’s time for you to hear the truth about amore. Amore is not only about feelings; it’s also about how fate can play a hand in finding your destiny, and perhaps even one true love.

As a boy I spent every weekend with my Papa sweeping rose petals from the steps of the church after the village weddings. I thought it was his job. I was wrong. I learnt he was collecting rose petals that had been touched by love. They were powerful rose petals, sprinkled in a moment of happiness, given with love for those in love. He had saved them all for me.

After my Papa died, I was given a letter. He wrote, that when I was ready to find true love to climb a tall mountain on a windy day and throw the petals into the air and if I truly believed in love, the petals would be a sign that I was on the road to my destiny.

A few years later I followed his advice. On my way home from the top of the mountain, I saw a girl riding her bicycle towards me. She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. She looked at me and suddenly fell off her bicycle. After helping her up, I gave her my handkerchief to wipe her tears and she told me something had flown into her eye and made her fall. For me, it was love at first sight. As she straightened her hair some of the flower petals that I had thrown just earlier fell at her feet. From that day on your Nonna and I were inseparable.

Enzo, the confetti I have collected for you represents all the colours of love, perhaps a rainbow. When you are ready to find true love, take all your confetti to the top of a hill and throw it to the wind. Just say “amore” and treasure all that you discover in the light of your beautiful rainbow. I wish you well…