"When they were small and my wife really had no other responsibilities, except taking care of the family and all of us, it wasn't that big a deal. It was fun. Hey, we're going to Moscow. We're going to Italy. We're going to Toronto. We're going to New York"

Joe Mantegna recalls a period in his family’s life when his children were young and his wife’s main focus lay at home, tending to the family’s needs. This phase, while possibly demanding, is described with a sense of lightness and enjoyment, he describes it as not being “that big a deal.” There’s a sense of nostalgia and appreciation in his tone, as he fondly remembers the way his family would accompany him on travels associated with his career or personal life.

He lists destinations with a sense of excitement and adventure, Moscow, Italy, Toronto, New York, suggesting that their travels were not just obligations but sources of pleasure and enrichment. The spontaneity embedded in “Hey, we’re going to…” reveals an era in their lives characterized by adaptability, the children small enough to travel easily, the family able to move as a unit without the complexity that comes with more individual responsibilities or commitments.

There’s also an undercurrent of gratitude toward his wife, whose dedication at home made these experiences possible and enjoyable. Without explicitly stating it, there is recognition of her pivotal role in managing the family’s well-being, providing stability so that travel and new adventures didn’t lead to chaos or difficulty. Implicitly, Mantegna seems to acknowledge that as the children grew and as his wife perhaps took on more personal ambitions, or as life became more complex, the “fun” and simplicity of those early days gave way to different sorts of challenges. The memory of easily packing up the family and jetting off to different parts of the world stands as a testament to a fleeting, precious window of togetherness and uncomplicated joy, shaped by the structure and support provided at home. As time passes, such moments take on a golden hue, treasured for their innocence and the unique unity they fostered.