I searched for a long time for a place that could keep the memory of my aunt alive. She never had children or a husband, dedicating her life to representing Italian companies abroad: always traveling, passionate about life and curious yet reserved, sometimes withdrawn.
Reading her will, I found a note in the corner of a page: “poor children.” It surprised me. At the end of her life, she wanted to make a charitable gesture, a selfless act by offering the fruits of her work—her passion, her entire life—to those in need.
She was an enterprising person. She was fascinated by those who, like her, knew how to create opportunities and invent a job. She was pragmatic; few words, many deeds. For this reason, finding a place to donate her bequest was not easy; I wanted to find something that reflected her, that honored what she believed in.
I think that, in general, those who donate must feel that where they are donating, things truly happen! At Cometa, this happens: you feel it, you see it, you touch it, and I know it happens more than one can imagine. Few words, many deeds!
One fact that surprised me, among the many, is that the young people return! After attending the day center or school, they return as volunteers, they return as educators: they return home. Because only family can save today’s youth from despair, boredom, and emptiness, and Cometa knows how to be that “family” that sometimes parents unfortunately cannot be: this family has created something extraordinary, it has managed to transform beautiful thoughts—which we all have—into something real, something true! And it is not easy because I sense that behind all this, much has been sacrificed, a total gift for the good of others. My “thousand lire” I know will multiply there, because they will truly help the young grow, they will truly change lives. This certainty is a rare point that made my aunt’s gift rich with a trust that ended up moving me as well and committing me from many points of view: I always speak of Cometa, as something dear, something also mine, and every time I cannot avoid being moved when talking about the encounter I had with “this family” which is also a bit mine, as Erasmus says: Cometa belongs to anyone who wants to be part of it!
Finally, visiting Cometa for the first time, I found myself on the terrace outside the school. From there, looking to the right, I saw Brunate where my aunt lived all her life. I thought that from there, from her house, my aunt could see you and watch over what you do!

― Cristina