And It Goes On...

It's been over a month since I parted ways with Florence and everything else, and the return hasn't exactly been easy. One obstacle I faced right off the bat was deciding where to live this summer. I had originally planned on being out in Spokane, but after going over there for about a week, I realized that I wouldn't be able to afford to do it. Leaving my close friends as well as the dreams of a fun-filled Spokane summer behind was tough, but I'm confident that I made the right choice. All the money I'm bringing in from roofing (probably the worst job ever) and working up at the Ridge validates this. So does the comfort of home and a very loving and supportive family that I now realize would have been very difficult to be away from for an entire summer.

But the most difficult part of all has been the deep hole in my heart that yearns to be back once more in Florence in the midst of everything that transpired during this past year. Every time I look at photos from the past year taken by myself or friends, I realize new things about the overall experience. I was looking at pictures of Florence taken from the hills above the Arno, the bright red roofs contrasting the clear blue sky. Florence is and always will be my favorite city, my favorite place. I've never loved a city the way I love Florence. In fact, I don't think I've ever loved anything the way I love her. She's that special.

One night in early November, Matt and I were walking back from dinner with Jen Kurdy. We were weaving through the narrow streets when we caught sight of the majestic Duomo. "Don't ever take this for granted," she said. But we couldn't help it. The dome and the rest of Florence became such an ordinary part of our lives that it was easy to forget just how lucky we were. We did pretty well at taking it all in and savoring as much of it as we could, but there's a lot I'd give just to be back there once more.

After living in Florence, I know that to be completely happy, I have to surround myself in beauty. It was simple to do there, and fortunately it's not so hard to do out here in North Bend, especially this time of year. So here I am now, worlds away from the red roofs and stone towers, a little bit empty, but very hopeful and very loved. The story continues.