My Italian Gift
My Italian gift is a treasure beyond measure. Has Italy given me a gift…. only one beyond my wildest imaginings.
There has never been a moment I can remember where I didn’t want to travel, see the world and live life to the full. As a child I would have my nose in a book usually about a magical land or far off place. The world called me constantly, and still does.
Once I hit my twenties I set off for England to stay with my Aunt and Uncle, ten weeks turned into two years.
It was then that I developed a love of photography, my Uncle had a 35mm with a macro lens and the world I thought I knew opened up on an entirely new level.
So I set off for the first time from Sussex to Europe with my backpack filled with guidebooks and novels. Seeking my Italian gift, I knew it was waiting for me.
An innocent abroad, I traveled alone, stayed in hostels and experienced all those crazy things that make you smile a wicked smile in old age.
I grew up, and I fell in love with Italy… the two are intertwined.
My Italian Gift
It’s no surprise that I married an Italian, we met on New Years Eve at a break up party for the photography college we were both studying at. He was taking the commercial stream and I the fine art.
Nobody thought it would last.
The Aussie girl was embraced totally and I became part of an Italian family. The contrast was shocking at first, it was like a secret world opened up from one of my childhood stories.
Our lives were so different, culture, food, beliefs, families, we were the total odd couple.
Sixteen years and here we are still together, still wildly opposites, and yes he is still the man I love with my whole heart.
The Italian gift was my life…my husband and our three children.
A life I could never have imagined, filled with joy and unbearable sorrow, a life lived to the full.
An Italian gift I treasure everyday…
Beautifully written, Lisa. I feel the love and understand every bit of it. Thanks for reminding me of why I need to keep fighting for my Italian dream. X
Awww it’ll happen Rhona, and we look forward to sharing with you both very soon!! Keep Fighting for your dream, much love lisa
Hi, Lisa, you tickled my heart with your story, I hope sooner than I expected in my life Italy will give me the gift of our personal friendship in Italy!
Oh won’t that be wonderful Sandra, I hope your gift comes very soon and your dream turns into reality for you xx
Hi Lisa, Oh my God. I feel your passion and love for this country and you have been so fortunate to be there so many times and then look forward to living there. I love Italy so much and when I visited Sicily a couple of years ago, I felt like I was truly HOME. I really enjoy reading what you share with us, so keep it up. Keep smiling. Love Fran