Ciao a tutti,
If you’re like me, you may be in need of some distraction. Lately, I’ve been revisiting this moment (video above) a lot for some lightness in my soul, taking a break from the heaviness of our current world. Today I had a thought … hey why not share this with you in case you’re in need of a moment too.
As I tend to do when I need to heal, I turn to my beloved Firenze, and my favorite spot in the city, in fact, in the entire world is the Arno. My friends in Firenze refer to the Arno as mio marito, my husband. Partly because I yell out Amore! every time I cross over one of the bridges. But my love affair with this river began decades ago. In 1993, when I lived here, I’d bring letters from the U.S. to the Arno and read them while sitting on Ponte Santa Trinita, pausing in between sentences to watch the sun dance on the water. It was in those moments that my mantra “Happy Heart Patricia” was born.
I spent many hours on that bridge. In fact, when friends would be looking for me they’d say “go to the bridge you’ll find her there.” Eventually they began calling it Ponte Patrizia … senza Santa, without the Saint, because well….you had to know me then. I was fearless and living large and took no prisoners. Stories for another time.
Ponte Santa Trinita ... aka Ponte Patrizia
On this last visit I had the most glorious opportunity to get up close and personal with Arno, via a boat ride. I would have liked it to be just a ride without a guide, but that wasn’t an option. It was unfortunate, especially since the guide was wrong about several things. Ugh that is not Ponte Amerigo Vespucci. È Ponte alla Carraia! Know your bridges bitch! Ok so the New Yorker came out in me for a moment, but come on … Dai! Anyway, she did me a favor because that last bit of misinformation was enough. I pulled out the earpiece, disengaged, and it was just me and my Arno. Honestly guys, if nothing else happens in my life I would die a happy and immensely fulfilled woman.
My friends, I hope these special moments bring some light and sheer JOY to you. Hang in there and Big Love, PatriciaG
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