Like Jacob, I waited seven years before I could finally marry Maurizia.
When I first met her I felt she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, and I still do feel that about her.
Her sweetness made her even more attractive to me. In this she was like my Mother and Grandmother, Noni, and also like the daughter of a Jewish friend of our family who had taken care of me when I was six. The example of those close to me, was what I wanted my wife to be like.
In the book of Proverbs 18: 22 the Lord says: “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord”. With Maurizia, I received a great treasure and a favor from the Lord! What more could God give me while on the earth?
I wept, sometimes every day, the first year we were married, thinking of how kind the Lord was in blessing me with such a wonderful wife. I do not usually say this with everyone, but I do now, because I believe others should know how many good things God has done for me.
Maurizia has been a true helpmate. Like my grandmother, Nonna Teresa, she works with her hands knitting and sewing. Industrious at all times, willing to help – whatever the need.
Then it was nine years after we were married before our son Andrew was born. And again, Andrew would not have been born had it not been for God’s grace – this time towards both of us.
Proverbs 20:6 says: “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
The essence of having a good friend is being able to trust them. This often entails entrusting responsibilities to them. My wife has faithfully carried out more responsibilities than most CEOs do in a lifetime.
People from all walks of life have praised her.
Proverbs 31: 10–12
“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.