I love telling stories. This one I’ve been holding onto for quite a while. You see, it’s in the category of ‘special, very personal stories’ and sometimes I like to keep these to myself. But with the possibility of snow in Firenze (any minute now) I decided to revisit my story and thought..hey why not bring you along for the ride. So here goes.
I was living in Firenze one winter & funny enough, was getting all the snow alerts on my iphone from New York City. If you know me, you know how much I love winter, and snow, and fa la la. There was a bit of a twinge at the heart strings as I was missing snow in NYC and I was daring to dream that we’d get some in the Tuscan capital. You know, Magic & Miracles and all. When I shared it with my Firenze friends, well first they laughed, then they said: ‘Ci dispiace Patri ma non nevica mai a Firenze. Non vogliamo che tu sia deluso.” Basically, we don’t want you to be disappointed but it doesn’t snow in Firenze. Yes, over the decades they did get some but it was highly unlikely. I answered in defiance that there would be snow! Afterall I am Patrizia Queen of Snow and if anyone can make it happen it is I!
Allora, back to reality and fast forward to January 28th. It was my Mother’s birthday and I was missing her terribly. I wanted to spend the day in commemoration by doing something I had never done before in Firenze. Giardino Bardini (Bardini Gardens) had been on my radar but I had never ventured up the steep hill to get there. Today was the day. Palazzo Patrizia just happened to be right next to Costa dei Magnoli, the street that begins the uphill climb to Bardini.
Being winter, I had the place mostly to myself (yay!)
As I wandered aimlessly through this picturesque gem of Firenze I openly cried huge tears steeped in the emotion of missing, longing for, and wishing I could speak to Mom in the flesh. I took photos, and I prayed, and I laughed at fond memories. I talked to my Mother aloud. I asked if she was ok? I asked if she thought I was ok. Was she proud of me and what I was doing here, coming to Firenze to heal, to explore, to be courageous. And I asked my mother for a sign. Are you ok? Are you proud of me? What do you think of my being here? "I need a sign Mom, and not just a little sign but something I will recognize. Something that I won't have to think...hmm was that the sign? Not sure. No I want it to be an 'in my face' sign."
The following day I was home, drinking espresso and doing some writing. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye but was deep in thought so I ignored it. But it happened again. I turned to look and could not believe my eyes. Stava nevicando! It was freakin snowing!!! I quickly grabbed my phone to take a video and then ran to my beloved Arno to experience it there. When I watch the videos I can't help but be taken by the shaking in my own voice. It is with absolute elation mixed in with a little bit of disbelief! In truth tho, it was no disbelief. In those moments I knew I was in the process of receiving my sign. Mom was always the first person to call and wake me..."It's snowwwinnng!" I asked for a big sign and I got it.
The snow only lasted for a short while and while there was no accumulation, the magnitude of the joy in those moments will live on forever in my heart...and now as I share it here with you.
I hope it snows in Firenze. I hope all the people I love there get to enjoy it. It is magical and each kiss of a snowflake brings renewed hope and joy. Big Love & Baci, Baci! PatriciaG
As always, I'd love to hear from you in the Comments section below. And I invite you to visit my Shop to check out the latest and greatest in my Photo Notecards & Prints.
And I'd really love it if you'd share with friends & family. Grazie!