Why Sicily?

Can I say I envy you...since I'm a widow? (my attempt at humor...please forgive)
I admire you more than envy,your ability to move... forward or at least in the direction of Sicily! I was stuck for so long and in some areas still am.
I savor those "dreams" when my husband would "visit". It's been too long since I've had one of those.
When things fall into place in a special way I imagine that he had a hand in it. It's a comforting thought. And what's the harm in that.

You have Hemingway's ability ("Moveable Feast") to talk of the emotional undercurrent while seemingly talking of the overcurrent...the everyday. It is the most powerful type of writing that exists for me personally and I am weeping now. It... was not about Michael and every line was about Michael.
I think at times of the elderly people who lose their spouse and then they themselves die only days or weeks later as was recently in the paper about a couple in this area. That's how deep what you are going through is.

Beautiful post, Amy. It brought back many memories from the months after my mother died 21 years ago. Even now, with the freshness of grief long behind me, I will awake on her anniversary or her birthday with the memory of her at the front of my mind. In September I will turn 47, the age my mother was when she died. I find I am approaching this with a new and different kind of mourning. The sadness changes over time, but it never really leaves completely. I think taking the kids to Italy this summer was such a brave thing for you to do. I really admire you. I have to admit that every time I felt a bit of envy creeping in -- as I saw your photos and read your posts -- I remembered why you are there and changed my tune.
Be well. And thank you again for sharing all of this with us.
Mary

Thanks for your sharing with us. The pictures are terrific. Your boys remind me of mine. God bless. You all continue in my prayers.

Really appreciated this post. It made me laugh, as only a fellow griever is allowed to do. Blessings to you~

Amy

I think all of us have tried to avoid words like jealous or envy in our posts for the reasons noted.

Do know however imperfect this medium, your writing has the ability to transport others - if even for a fleeting moment- to the shores of Sicily.

So I think what you are seeing is the reactions of those who get caught up in your descriptions and photos of the warm breezes and sun and light and the food. Consider it a tribute to your ability as a writer to bring us along for your whole journey.

For all of this we, too, are grateful to God. And I pray the Spirt allows those warm breezes to bring you and your family some comfort to get caught up in land of my forefathers- if even for fleeting moments.

God-speed on your travels and a blessed Independence day to your family.

Makes much intuitive sense to me. When I read you were going to Sciliy, I thought it made much sense: Distance. Sun. Unfamiliarity. Non-clicheness (i.e. it's not Umbria). It needs little explanation.