No Matter What, No Matter Where …

In 2007, when I returned from an entire idyllic month of May in Italy, I wrote a sweet story called A Sense of Home for an Italian-American journal.

The story was about my traveling alone and enduring twists and turns that happened, and how there was always a loving, Italian welcome-home-of-sorts by my local loves, that made me feel safe once again.

The most daunting was a debacle in Palermo, Sicily, when my noon flight was delayed until around midnight. I finally returned to Rome and my dear friends scooped me up, brought me home, and cooked me a full-on meal around 2am. They wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Every fiber of my being knew that this time, when Lisa and I landed here in Italy, it would feel like a red-carpet welcome. It did, and it has.

Day 1, we were met at the station upon arriving after a (relatively awful 3-hour) train from Roma, by one of Italy’s kindest, gentlest ambassadors. Daniel is the elder half of the father-son team handling our dual citizenship process.

He brought us to our new home, where we were met by owners Edith and Lucilio. Edith took Lisa and me out to eat, and kindly showed us every detail about our neighborhood and our home... soo lovely and, soooo tricky for beyond-exhausted me ;) !

By now, all of these angels have continued to take care of us like cherished family members.

Literally around the corner from our home, is a butcher, baker, and pasta maker (also fresh produce/grocery). A few doors down, Bruno and Jessica are our new friends at what we callThe Stuff Store (hardware and household items). An exquisite chocolate and coffee store is right behind our home, and really good pizza is across the street. Gratefully, my conversational Italian is improving !

You know how I am about my hair. My new salon angels are 2 doors from our home – true story! A tiny French-inspired salon is a 10-minute walk from our front door. I’ve already had wonderful spa treatments for my hands and feet. In my best Italian, I told young Sylvia that I will be seeing her often.

To reach Old Cagli, the medieval quarter, a bridge over an ancient river takes us by foot to explore lots of cool cafes, bars, restaurants, and more shopping. We’ve also been introduced to two other California girls ;) who are clients of our same agents and our new friends, here in town to complete their dual citizenship.

This has all got me thinking about what’s really important to me right now.

When I was very young, I gifted Mama with the ceramic plate in my lead foto that reads,

No matter what, no matter where, it’s always home when Love is there.

I came across it when I was clearing my LA apartment and I really wish I’d kept it and brought it with me. I didn’t, but ...

It’s the code I want to live by, now that Europe is my new home.

I’m here to trust that Love will always be here to hold and support me, just like it’s doing right now.

Thank you for staying tuned for more stories of how all that unfolds for me.