How lucky I am that I moved to Mastic Beach.  I was hesitant to move to the South Shore of Long Island, because I had grown up on the North Shore and to be honest, the South Shore really is a completely different culture despite its close proximity to the North Shore.  When we were looking at our house, the owner was telling us about our neighbors, and he mentioned that the house across from us belonged to an Italian couple who wintered in Brooklyn, but came out and stayed in Long Island for the summer.  The idea of people from the City coming out here interested me, because I lived in various parts of the City for about ten years, and I missed it greatly.  After buying the house, my daughter and I took a walk one day.  As we passed the house that belonged to Santo & Lucia, I noticed that this house was very different than most houses I had seen.  The fence was the first sign.  While most fences are designed to keep people out, and silently but loudly convey that message, Santo’s fence clearly said (silently, of course) “come in”.  Once we looked beyond the fence, we could see the Roman-style column that supported the birdbath and the artistically styled area above the doorway that definitely gave us the message that this was no ordinary house.  We had moved into our new house in April, and as the weeks passed from Spring into Summer, we would look towards the property of Santo and Lucia with great interest, wondering who these people were, and hoping they would be as nice and interesting as their property promised they would be.  We were not disappointed.  I will never forget that first day I met Santo & Lucia.  I had finally met some real people—people who would sit and talk with you, and listen, and not be afraid to discuss something regardless of it being a controversial issue, and laugh…boy, could they make me laugh!  I am not one to go over to people and introduce myself, but I am so glad that I walked over that day and met Santo, Lucia, Myra and Tina, their daughter.  I would later be introduced to Enza, their other daughter, and her husband Frank, who are also wonderful people in their own right.

Santo, unlike me, was not afraid to speak his mind.  He was greatly interested in people—regardless of race, background or age.  He would discuss anything, and his impressions on any subject were some of the most insightful words I have ever heard.  In him I found a kindred spirit, because I enjoy discussing any issue whether negative or positive, and at times this has gotten me in trouble…I guess people sometimes think they are open minded, but in actuality, they really aren’t.  Santo was.  He might not agree with you, but he didn’t judge you for your convictions. 

Santo spoke English.  He of course spoke Italian.  He also spoke some Greek and Latin, and was conversant in Spanish.  He was knowledgeable in anatomy, physiology, modern medicine and holistic/natural medicine.  He was an economist, a political analyst, and he was “green” before the environmentalists even dreamed of the word.  Aside from sculpting, Santo would see what some would consider unusable—old tiles, an old fish tank stand…and he would create beautiful tables reminiscent of the Mediterranean he had left behind so many years ago.  See The Artist section for more on the subject of tables.   My discussions with Santo were more interesting than discussions I’ve had with doctoral degree holding Professors with tenure.  He had a unique way of looking at the world, analyzing the many facets of various subjects.  Many of his beliefs were what most Americans would consider controversial, but if you listened—really listened to what he was saying—Santo was a brilliant man and his ideas were innovative, refreshing and they were formed of clear, concise thought patterns.  So many Americans today, upon hearing certain ‘buzz’ words, immediately shut down, because America has a way of propagandizing that which it does not want anyone to discuss.  Santo could look at any supposed negative situation and see the positive in it.  And isn’t that what we, as humans are supposed to do—learn from our mistakes?  He wasn’t afraid to discuss any subject, and if he didn’t know about something, he mad sure he learned everything he could about it.

I think the thing that bothered Santo the most—at least, this is my perspective on it—was how unnecessarily bureaucratic our society has become; whether it is at the grocery store, at the doctor’s office, at our childrens’ school or just taking the train somewhere, everything is so fragmented that it separates people too much.  I think this is an area where Santo and I had much in common as far as our beliefs.  Having worked for the State for many years, I have always semi-joked with people when they ask me about my job, saying “it takes several pieces of paper, many different departmental approvals and various levels of justification just to order a pencil.”  I’m really not joking, though.  Rather than making things easier, we have so overcomplicated our lives in an attempt to “simplify” things that we have pushed each other away, destroyed our sense of community and for the most part we’ve lost what is the most rewarding part of life—each other.

I voted for the first time in my life because of discussions I had with Santo this past summer. 

Check back often for more of my musings of my times with Santo.  So many things, so much enjoyable time that I spent with him.