12/24/2017
The Rose Shirt | Le Pianore, Toscana | April, 2017
Recent events have me thinking back to the glory days of my Italian memories and shenanigans. The people I met in these two months... People I will forever consider friends, family, and beautiful people. I miss the incredible faimaloni in Moline: Arrone, Eliseo, Mamma Patti, Mega Faimalone Andrea, Ireneo, DINA!.. And my lovely family in Toscana: Elena, Laura, Enrica, Olivia, Filipo, Hassan (not so much Fernando the c**k)! Chasing sunrises, sunsets, hot springs, hitch-hiking, trying to assert dominance over chickens (and getting stabbed by the talons of the rooster Fernando). Observing a great inspiration of mine, Fillipo, and learning so much about the connection between human and Earth; Learning about the love required to grow beauty (and delicious food). Learning about what it means to do the minimum required, and what it means to put your heart and soul into a stranger's family and way of life. Watching the Super Mamma Patti take on the world and still have time to raise the most beautiful family! Observing Andrea's super faimalone way of life, and seeing the joy that comes with a mindset fully immersed in the present, living life day by day to the fullest extent possible. And along the way I met one of the most beautiful souls.. I'll never forget all of these memories with all of these people.. and the rose shirt.
2017 brought me on one hell of a roller coaster, and I've never had a better year in my life. I've seen so many places, met so many people, learned so much, and in the end, grow with the knowledge and wisdom that comes with experience. I can't wait to do it all over again in 2018. There's a whole world for us to explore, and I aim to take on that task. First: The US Southwest, West Coast, and Pacific North West (Canada too!). This is my task for 2018, this is my resolution, and perhaps I'm a few days early for this... Who makes the rules anyway?
Here's to a year of beauty and growth for everyone! Observe where the shadows fall about you, and choose your mindset as you wish.
So much love.