Roma, the final week, home.

So this blog post is being sent out from the US of A. How great is it that I am home? The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of life.

So my grandfather died two weeks ago and that combined with the way my semester had been going helped me to make the decision to come home early. It was a good and hard decision for me to make, but I cannot explain how glad I am to be home.

Rome was beautiful, naturally. Just picture everything you need to see in Rome and that is what we did. We hit up the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Vatican City, etc., etc. It was hard to deal with all of that on top of my Grandfather, but I know how excited he was for me to get the chance to go to Rome and so I went.

Once I got back I had about 3 days to pack everything up, say my goodbyes, and head home. Leaving wasn't hard. It should have been, but it wasn't. I am not even sure what this experience is going to mean for me or what was the intended purpose, but it was hard.

Having Bryan pick me up at the airport and heading straight to Charlottesville literally made for the perfect weekend. Half of my housemates were in town and I got to spend the weekend here hanging out, relaxing, and being back in my comfort zone.

I have no idea what this experience means yet, but I know I need to take a mental break from it and begin to start processing it in a couple of weeks. As for now, I am very content with celebrating the Fourth of July in the land I love best and echoing Dorthy's oh-so-wise words, "there's no place like home."

Ti amo...

Dear Grandpa,

So I couldn’t make it home for the funeral. I had a really hard time with that at first. It is hard to accept things like this when you are alone, away from home. Luckily, as I told you two weeks ago, the last time we talked, my parents were on their way here. The trip was so great. We thought about you a lot.

Remember the last time we talked how I told you I had planned to go to Italy? You were so excited for me to get the chance to see our “home.” I think my parents are right, you would rather me celebrate you by going to Italy and keep my trip planned, then fly home to be sad and my semester abroad early. I feel like it is fitting – on Friday as we all celebrate your life, I will do that as well in my own way by going to a place you loved, the place you came from.

I can’t wait to see everything there and imagine our family being there. You always said we needed to go there. I can’t wait to hear the words you always used to tell me, like “ti amo” and “mangiare” (however the food will most likely just remind me of you) and I am looking forward to going to the Vatican and praying for you there.

It is hard to imagine that I won’t see you again. I think about the way you called me “Ames” and how proud you always were of me for my school work. Also, I am really going to miss the abundant supply of Sun Rise Pizzas, canned peppers, nut rolls, the way Katie always behaved around you, the endless stories you would tell me about taking Alyssa shopping, and just how great of a grandfather you were. But then it is okay, because I know you loved going to church and now you are with Jesus. Your body is all better now and you are in a place with such goodness and no more cancer or pain. I can’t even begin to imagine how wonderful it is.

I know this weekend will be really hard, but I’ll try to keep focused on how much you loved Italy and be happy that I got to experience something that was such a part of you instead of being away from the funeral. I will see you again and just know how very much I am going to miss you.

 Ti amo, Grandpa.

Amy

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice." (Hosea 6:6)

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me.

Thought(s) of the day. 

home = heart

You know how your dad can say your name whether it is Amy Claire, Stinkers, Amers, or any other variation in that way that no one else can?

You know how your mom knows exactly how to give you a hug that just doesn't feel the same from anyone else?

You know how your sister and best friend in the world can make you laugh like no one else?

You know how your mom does that thing with her hands when she wants everyone to say grace at the dinner table?

You know how your sister can say the dumbest things that just make you love her harder?

You know how your Dad gives you that look and you instantly start laughing because you just made fun of something without words?

You know how your family kind of makes you whole and instantly completes you?

My parents and sister arrive here tomorrow. First interaction with them in five months.