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
Lisa beautiful post full of love………what a wonderful journey and lets hope 2012 gets you and your loved ones back to where it all began.
Have a fabulous Christmas… I know you told me you will be staying and feverishly working on the Aussie reno that will get you over to the Italian reno!!! Am sure you will enjoy yourself.
Carla x
Lisa, I was thinking today about how it is people connect to one another. For instance, you and I have formed a sort of bond although we have never actually met. Though we live in different continents, are in different life stages in our lives (you are married with small children, I am divorced with a grown son), have even chosen different regions of Italy to call home — we have a common thread that ties us together. You are a very lucky to have found a partner in life that knows and accepts you the way your – are your differences don’t really matter in the scheme of things: you can be yourselves. That is the gift. xxoo t
This really is a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful family story. xo
Thanks Misha, funnily enough a very close friend of ours thought we’d had another baby….I think I confused a few people.
ciao lisa x
Lisa — What a beautiful post. I admire your profound love for Italy. Like you I married an Italian, like you it has been many years (18!) and like you I have three wonderful children. I love Italy too, but unlike you, I think I tend to be a tad more cynical about some of the faults I see in Italy. Perhaps my feelings for Italy are sometimes diminished by a strong loyalty to my New England (US) roots and my family in the states. Luckily there is room in my heart for both! I would be curious to know if you feel a similar love and loyalty to Australia. My husband Gustavo’s grandmother, Edith Kollestrom, came to Italy many many moons ago and like you fell in love with an Italian and never went back. Keep up the lovely posts, I certainly do enjoy them! Trisha
Hi Lisa, I’m new to your blog and your beautiful post has brought tears to my eyes. I fell in love with Italy as you did – an Australian-Sicilian abroad for the first time… My ‘story’ didn’t turn out as I had hoped and truth be told I’ve never really gotten over that. I love Italy with all my heart though all the same. What a beautiful gift. Grazie di cuore. Janine
So sorry to hear that Janine, stories don’t always go to plan I know from personal experience. I hope you can find a way to move past your story not working out the way you thought it would. I’m so glad we met and I love your blog also… so much to share and so many dreams to chase! ciao lisa x
It’s never too late to start a new chapter!
Oh so true Michele!!
Hint Hint Nudge Nudge xx
Gorgeous post Lisa. Thank you for sharing about ‘your Italian gift’.
Cathy you’re most welcome, did you take part in this one?
ciao lisa x
Hi Lisa,
Thanking you for sharing your true love, and all about your adventures! How amazing that your love of travel across Europe lead to your love of Italy and the man of your dreams 🙂
Thank you for sharing your family and your three precious children. Beautiful photo of Sam and your baby. Love the photo of you and your two children!
Gorgeous 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
Lisa this is such great story – love it – will definitely follow all your leads – always. Ciao Francesca xx
A lovely post Lisa. 🙂