It has been a family tradition for many generations to give the first-born children names starting with the letter “A”. Like our ancestor Antonio, a peasant who raised himself up to become a landowner. Like his son Anselmo, and like grandfather Alcide, electromechanical expert and inventor. Like Alessandro, who picked an “A” name for myself as well as for my brother, Alberto. And the tradition continues with Amos, my firstborn, and with Alessio, Alberto’s eldest.