"He was a very sensitive person, who did not hesitate to support those around him above all, in the most difficult moments. Thanks to his help, I too passed a very critical phase in my life. He was also very close to my son Raimondo, as well as certainly to many other young people ". She has tears streaming down her face, Nicoletta Marchese, 55, teacher of Letters and Latin at the Ugo Foscolo comprehensive school in Canicattì (Agrigento), remembering her colleague Pietro Carmina, 69, professor of Philosophy and History, and collaborator of the head teacher, one of the nine victims of the explosion last December 11 in Ravanusa nell'agrigentino.
"I was moved by the words of the President of the Republic", she adds. Yesterday Sergio Mattarella in his end-of-year speech quoted the letter the professor had written to his students before retiring, in 2018 after 43 years of service: 'Use the words I taught you to defend yourself and to defend those who he has no words. Do not be spectators but protagonists of the history you live today. Get inside, get your hands dirty, bite your life, don't adapt, commit yourself, never give up on pursuing your goals, even the most ambitious ones, put those who can't make it on your shoulders. You are not the future, you are the present. Please: never be indifferent, do not be afraid to take risks so as not to make mistakes ... "I make mine - with respect - these words of exhortation so effective,who also show the dedication of our teachers to their educational task ", added Mattarella.
"When the head of state - says Nicoletta - spoke of my late colleague, my children hugged me, visibly moved. And I whispered, holding back my sobs: 'Peter, my beloved friend, your immense humanity will now arrive in homes Italians". She remembers: "he was the Professor par excellence, he loved us all, without distinction. I will never be able to forget his pat on my shoulder in a particularly difficult moment of my life: 'courage, Nicoletta, I'm next to you', he repeated to me". Even in moments of difficulty he would arrive at school every morning with a smile, with a joke to ease tensions ".
Then Nicoletta looks into space and as if seeing her colleague, she adds: "He was elegant in his clothing, in his bearing, in his great capacity for eloquence. His words penetrated your soul. I remember him in particular the last days of school. . On his desk a volume of philosophy, 'I'll give it to you, so you won't forget me', he said. And now, dear Pietro, no one will ever forget you, angel among angels, you will protect us. Next to me, my relatives Carmen and Raimondo, they caress me and tell me: Mom smile, the professor would be angry if he saw you crying ".
