It was the custom in those days for passengers leaving for America to bring balls of yarn on deck. Relatives on the pier held the loose ends. As the Giulia blew its horn and moved away from the dock, a few hundred strings of yarn stretched across the water.
by Jeffrey Eugenides
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In the past, it was traditional for passengers embarking on ships to America to carry balls of yarn. This practice involved those on the dock holding onto the free ends of the yarn, creating a visual connection as the ship departed. As the Giulia’s horn sounded, it left with numerous strands of yarn extending across the water, symbolizing the ties between those leaving and those staying behind.

This poignant image illustrates both the physical journey of emigration and the emotional bonds that endure despite distance. The yarn represents a way for loved ones to maintain a sense of closeness even as the ship sails into the unknown.

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