Holidays: Slowdown and Awe Moments

Pause for Wonder

Curtesy of Franco Grobberio

Dear Readers,

When I started “Sipping Italy with Tino” last July, it was simply a fun pastime—a way to share stories, observations, and personal experiences with the Substack community. Never did I imagine this project would reach so many extraordinary readers like you.

With the holiday season upon us, I’ve returned to Canada to enjoy the snow, spend time with family and friends, and recharge for the new year.

I’ll be taking a short break from the usual newsletters until early February, when I’ll be back in Tuscany. I’ll return refreshed, full of stories, and ready to sip and share even more of Italy with all of you.

In the meantime, I’ll share little capsules of writing unearthed from my digital treasure chest—thoughts, reflections, and observations I’ve collected over the years.

Today, I’d like to share ten awe moments in my life. For me, awe moments are specific experiences or thoughts frozen in time. They’re memories I can revisit at any moment, still evoking the same emotions they did when they first happened.

The order in which I present them is not reflective of their importance or timing.

Awe Moments

Peggy's Cove Reflection

Sitting by the ocean at Peggy's Cove, I was surrounded by the rugged brown-and-green landscape. Flares of fog drifted through the air. In front of me, the ocean stretched endlessly. As I stared at the site where Swissair Flight 111 went down in 1998, a thought crossed my mind: “We are everything; we are nothing.”

A Revelation in Tuscany

April 2006, my first vacation alone. While walking through the countryside near Pitigliano in Tuscany, a thought struck me: What’s the point of experiencing such beauty if I can’t share it with someone? And then it dawned on me: What about me?Just enjoy this moment—it belongs to you, Tino.

Good Coffee

On a snowy Sunday morning, I sat by the dining room window on Bel Air Road, cradling a warm cup of coffee in my hands. As I gazed out at the stillness of the world outside, a thought struck me: One day, when I’m no longer here, this is the kind of moment I’ll long for most. Even though I won’t be around to feel the loss, I know I’d miss the simple joy of my morning coffee and the quiet comfort it brings.

Apple Crumble Pie

Apple crumble pie has always been my favorite dessert. One memory stands out vividly—the pie I had at an Irish pub in Disney World, Florida. The rich, warm apples in cinnamon and nutmeg syrup, mixed with walnuts, nestled in a crispy crust slightly softened by melting vanilla ice cream. I can still smell and taste it.

Marathon

As I crossed the finish line in Piazza del Duomo during the 2006 Milan City Marathon, I heard my name booming through the loudspeakers, reverberating across the square. The sound of my name, mingled with the overwhelming exhaustion coursing through my body, etched itself into my memory. Even now, that moment—equal parts triumph and fatigue—still lingers within me.

Mark's Glove Save

My son Mark was tending the net for his team at the Town of Mount Royal arena. An opposing player charged forward in a breakaway, releasing a slapshot just ten feet away from the net. Mark moved his arm in a flash, effortlessly gloving the shot. That moment is still etched in my mind.

Vittorio’s Makeup Artist Award

In 2008, at the Contessa Awards Gala in Toronto, I heard the name of my son 'Vittorio Masecchia' announced as one of five finalists for Canada’s Top Makeup Artist of the Year. Moments later, when they called his name again this time as the winner, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride.

Kevin’s Presence After Surgery

The night after a serious, life-threatening surgery, I lay in the intensive care unit. My son Kevin held my hand. Though I couldn’t speak, I felt his energy flowing through my hand, traveling up my arm. I knew what he was doing, and a tear rolled down my cheek.

Pilgrimage: Exhaustion and Joy

As I took the final steps into St. Peter’s Square in Rome after a gruelling 16-day, 350-kilometer pilgrimage, a wave of emotions washed over me. The exhaustion in my legs was matched only by the deep sense of joy and spiritual fulfillment. Every ache, every blister, and every step had led to this moment—a blend of physical fatigue and profound inner peace.

From Coast to Coast

Shortly after my promotion to Vice President of Canadian Mortgages for CDPQ, I embarked on a business trip to Halifax. Standing at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and knowing I’d be flying to Vancouver the next day, I dipped my foot into the chilly water. Less than 24 hours later, I stood by the Pacific Ocean, repeating the gesture. In that moment, I couldn’t help but think back to my arrival in Halifax as a young boy, full of dreams and uncertainties. Traveling from coast to coast now, as a leader in my field, felt like a deeply rewarding and symbolic milestone.

Do you ever experience moments of awe? The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on them.