2015 is almost over

As 2015 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting, as many of us are, on this journey that we call ‘Life’.

I am thankful that I have a job and a steady paycheck unlike so many in our nation today. I pray that this changes for real, and not just on paper with bias statistics to further the political agenda of those in power.

I am also thankful for having made it through the year without the threat of (any type of) violence that is all too common in our nation today.  My prayer is the same as above in this respect.

I am thankful for my health and that difficulties from my MS have progressed somewhat mildly over the last year.

I am thankful that despite a few health scares, my family, though small we may be, is intact. I pray that this continues.

I am thankful that my nephew Brandon,  is home safe and sound after 4 years in the United States Marine Corps.  This Aunt could not be more proud of all that he accomplished along the way, and continues to.  You rock!!!  E-5 Sergeant Brandon ,  1st Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st MARDIV, 5th Marine Regiment.   Whew.. what a mouthful! I think I got it all right.

I am so thankful for being able to make a dream come true that I waited an awfully long time for (43 years!)  I finally made it to Venice Italy.   To say that it changed my life is a gross understatement.  I am more impassioned than I ever knew I could be about Italia. I had no idea that the hold it has on me is as fervent as it is.  It seems to deepen by the day.  Having set foot on Italian soil? has enveloped me in an embrace that is so tight I can’t begin to break free.  Not that I want to! I have written about it here in my blog many times.  And that brings me to –

My beginning a Blog in the first place, something I knew nothing about.  I have always loved to write but have not done much for a very long time.  Starting a Blog has brought back that love of taking pen to paper.   Thank you  Margie, for urging me to start a Blog as a means to share my passion with others.   And for all the advice, support , excitement and encouragement not just with the Blog but also in taking time to talk to and listen to me as I come to realize my passion for Italy.  For these things  I am thankful  twofold to you.

I am so very thankful and forever grateful  for those who inspired and supported me along the way this past year in pursuing my  Dream Trip and keeping true to that dream as it was meant to be for me.  A huge shout out in so many ways  to you,  ‘Shirl’, Gina,  Lorri  and  Margie  – la ringrazio molto i miei amici.

To those that are following along with me on my Blog, thank you! I am very happy in getting to know a few of you along the way.  I look forward to getting to know you a bit better.

And I simply cannot forget The Boys.  Richard and Dennie for joining me on my Dream Trip.  You provided camaraderie as we struggled with a few things along the way,  and to be able to laugh about things that were foreign to us (pun intended).  Just what do these light switches do anyway? and what is the trick/sequence to getting the lights to turn on?  For helping me when I stumbled and fell along the way, literally! For our deepening friendship from having shared in this experience.

I am humbled to see the stats for my Blog after such a short period of time.  Grazie Mille to you who are following, liking and commenting.

I look forward to the coming year and another year of pursing my passion(s).

Happy Travels to all in 2016!  Avere un felice anno nuovo e sano