"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place. Like you'll not only miss the people you love. But you'll miss the person you are now at this time and place, because you'll never be this way again."
How has it been four months? It feels like just yesterday I was en route to Europe with a one way ticket, dreams to travel as many places as possible, and almost no knowledge of where I would be staying at and who I would be surrounded by for the three month teaching program in Italy I was embarking on. In fact, I wasn’t even worried about not knowing this information, because I was most focused on traveling. I anticipated that every weekend I would go to a different country or city, and I didn’t take into consideration many other details.
But, I had prayed for months before that God would give me friends while I was in Europe. People who I would feel comfortable around, enjoy being with, and feel loved by. Looking back, I couldn’t have even began to fathom the wonderful people that God was going to put in my life. Not only did He give me friends, but He gave me people who have became my family. These people touched my heart and life in so many ways, and I am so thankful for every person I have came to know.
Antida, Massimo, Nik, Miky, Lea and Sisco (the dogs), Frederica, Luca, Ludovico, Lorenzo, Sabrina, Marco, Cate, Virgi, all my sweet students, the fantastic teachers and colleagues, friends, and all of the people I met - thank you for everything - you are so special to me!
The strange thing is, I couldn’t communicate well with some of the people who affected me so greatly. For example, some students and colleagues from school, the school assistants, the people who I met at the gym and the people who worked in my favorite shops, and the sweet owners of my favorite gelato shop. It was so hard for my to say goodbye to these special people. When I arrived in Italy, I couldn’t speak or understand any Italian whatsoever, and even though now I can understand a very little and speak even less, I formed relationships with these people. In order to begin a friendship, I have learned that it’s not necessary to speak the same language, but it’s only important to speak with love and smiles.
My heart is so full to be back, but I am sad knowing that this special chapter in my life is over for now. I will cherish this time forever, and count down the days until I can return, constantly wishing I could be two places at once, but knowing that God has me right where I should be.
"And then one day when you least expect it, the great adventure finds you." I saw some beautiful places within my time in Europe, but the people I met were even more beautiful. And they are the reason that this adventure was so great.
Ci vediamo presto, ti voglio bene, mi manchi molto. Sempre con amore,
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