♥Their Story is My Story and Now the Story Will Have a New Chapter!♥

Past… If you have been following along, first of all, thank you! I appreciate your time and comments immensely! Although this is my family and my story, I know that many of you share similar family histories and memories regardless of nationality. We all came from somewhere and (at least I believe) there are always threads that connect us to our past.

And, as I explored my roots and took the path to dual citizenship, it became so much more than just getting a passport. It took me on a priceless journey and now, it is the key to my next chapter…

Next Chapter… I have hinted that a very BIG decision had been brewing and, in fact, it’s been a seed of “wishful thinking” for a very long time (decades?). As the years have passed and I’ve returned more and more and developed such wonderful connections in Italy, I have found myself wanting to immerse and explore more and more…and that old dream became more persistent…

“If there is one door in the castle you have been told not to go through, you must. Otherwise, you’ll just be rearranging furniture in rooms you’ve already been in.”
-Annie Lamott

Percolating decisions sprinkled with doubt, fear, uncertainty…you name it! Definitely a flood of emotions! But last November I experienced a seismic shift…a “now or never” moment… a line in the sand and no turning back…and a compelling quote confirmed my decision:

“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”
– Karen Lamb

It was time. Decide. Commit. Find a way. Make a way. If not now, when?
And, if  you haven’t figured out by now what this life changing decision was..?
Si, the decision was to go to Italy for an extended visit (meaning at least 6 months) in fall 2020!

Part of my decision was to create a plan and a timeline and to keep my game plan (such as it was!) very close to the chest. Except for sharing with a very few trusted friends, for the most part this was my decision and nothing and no one was going to dissuade me. And, as it turned out, no one did. They were and remain beyond enthusiastic and supportive! (The onset of the pandemic, especially in Italy in the beginning, did cast a temporary shadow over my plans but now, of course, Italy is doing quite well!)

I decided that, in order to really kick start a new chapter on a personal and professional level, I had to take the plunge and just do it!

Personally, it was time. Professionally, I decided that the best way to convince you to join me in Italy was to be in Italy! So I will be exploring new possibilities with my fabulous Friends of Victoria and finding new Friends, of course!

And, much to my amazement and overwhelming gratitude, pieces fell into place…the new chapter was being written thanks to the support of so many and now my story will continue in Italy!

Where in Italy? In the “cradle of the Renaissance”, Florence!

And YOU are coming with me virtually, of course, for now…but I fully intend to be your “boots on the ground in the boot!” until you can join me! In the meantime, I’ll be sharing my experiences and explorations and I’ll be waiting for you! Ti aspetiamo, amici!

♥ To Be Continued…in Florence!

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Postscript! Of course this is the “CliffsNotes” abbreviated version of my decision and all that it has taken to get to now. And, I do NOT want to give the impression that it was just an impulsive decision nor that it’s been an easy undertaking! I’m often asked if “I’m excited?” And, honestly, I have to say “well, not yet!”
It has required life changing personal choices, a strong commitment, a great deal of hard work, and a continuous and incredibly difficult process of “letting go” (including putting everything that isn’t going with me into storage)! Not to mention dealing with my own doubts, misgivings, and “butterflies”.
So, please don’t think it’s just a matter of making a decision and then going. It’s far more complex than that! It’s not simple and I’m not going to romanticize or sugar coat it!
Maybe “some day” I’ll share more of the nitty gritty details but for now I’m just focused on getting there! Then I will be very excited!

♦ Stay tuned here and on social media but please follow along! Ci vediamo in Italia ♦

If You Missed:

♦ Roots Redux – Intro & Part 1: Memories of Growing Up Italian

♦ Roots Redux – Part 2: Digging Deep to the Heart of the Family Tree

♦ Roots Redux – Part 3: Dual Citizenship – the Search & Success

♦ Roots Redux – Part 4: Remembering My 2016 Italian Journey – Where It All Began

Have you every dreamed about living in a foreign country? Please share!