The Beginning Of A Dream

As a young girl I watched the movie Summertime as I’m sure many have. I was too young to know what a Bucket List was, however, Venice Italy, struck a chord with me that I was never able to shake.

Beautiful. Alluring. Playful in the laughter of Her children. Seductive in Her shadowed Calli. Worn and weary Her buildings may seem to some. To me, they are full of character,  full of stories and full of love. Full of the heartbeats of those who dwell within.

In recent years, I have become absorbed not only in Venice, but in all that is Italy. I see the faces of Her people smiling as they go about their daily lives. I see the gnarled hands of  fishermen repairing their nets. I see the Artisan painstakingly carving from a piece of wood or marble that will be transformed into a magnificent work of art. I see the Nonna in her kitchen with a few simple, fresh ingredients, turning out a delicious meal. I see the family, the generations of family, all sitting at the same table sharing the love of not only the food before them, but of each other. I see in the daily life, the son carrying on the traditions of his Father, and his Father’s Father before him. Their shop, their Ristorante, their workbench, they need not be grand in design, the product that emerges from within is far more precious than anything that comes from a gleaming storefront. The simplicity of and non hurried pace of going about their daily lives makes me smile and warms my heart.

Italy reaches into my soul and I am overcome with an emotion I have not felt before. She grabs hold of my heart with a fierce tenacity that overwhelms me. She envelops me, with the same indomitable strength as the sea that I also feel a connection to.  I cannot explain it. I don’t know from where it comes. Somehow, I am connected to this place that I have never been to. Yet I know without a doubt, with every ounce of my being, that I belong to Her. I am completely at Her mercy. I yield to Her with utter abandonment. I cannot escape Her, nor do I want to. She is a Temptress. She entices me. Over and over she beckons to me until finally, I can no longer evade Her calls, and I surrender, willingly, to all that She is and all that She has to offer.

Some say I won’t return home, and that would be fine with me. I can think of nothing better than to bask in Her glory for the rest of my days; as this, this is what Italia is to me.

I invite you to join me on My Dream Vacation to Italia in September 2015!

Thanks for coming. I’d love to hear from you, so please, leave a comment.

Advertisement