In my simple life it simply amazes me that I can now say that I have been to Rome, Italy three times! The first time it was Jackie’s idea. She was granted a “wish” from Make-A-Wish after recovering from her life-threatening chordoma over ten years ago. Her wish was to have an Italian “food experience” and here is what I wrote at that time:
Our second visit to Rome was in May of 2023. Once again we had been granted a “wish” of sorts when the Swing for Cancer Foundation offered to have us join them on a complimentary Mediterranean cruise. We jumped at the opportunity but came a week early to spend time in Rome. Greg joined us and we had a great time together.
As we left to explore the Mediterranean I told Mark that I figured we would never return to Rome. He couldn’t wait to come back! My reasoning was that it had been incredibly crowded and there was so much else that I wanted to see in the world if the opportunity were to arise. He just loved being there and hoped to return again and again.
It was his response to Rome that made me think twice about coming here without him. How could I even get off the airplane, let alone walk the streets and see the sights? I thought that it would do me in completely and over the month or two of contemplating the trip I wondered if I could face it? What a blessing my life has been these past weeks as I seem to have this new dimension to my feelings – that corner of grief that I chose to walk around has changed even my outlook on Rome. I found myself anticipating my return to this beautiful city!
My travel update – Traveling with Stacey is great! She is fun, intelligent and brave. I am her travel companion and this is an advance tour as she prepares to bring 40 students next May. They are the BYU Singers – the university’s most elite chorale group. We are in a whirlwind traveling between cities, checking out possible cultural/service opportunities, exploring venues and meeting with her Italian contacts who are anxious to have these students perform in their town.
We landed in Rome after a rather sleepless night on the airplane and a layover in the Paris airport. After making our way to our hotel we forced ourselves to stay awake in an attempt to combat the jet lag. We discovered some of the best pasta I have ever eaten. It was next door to a pastry shop to which we vowed to return. True to our vow we both filled a to-go plate with pastries for breakfast as we drove away on Thursday morning.
Our day in Rome was very busy beginning with a drive to the Rome Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We had a nice long meeting with the president of the visitors center and communication representatives to plan a venue, advertising, etc. These people were so nice to be with – intelligent, enthusiastic, well-mannered and so kind. The meeting was long and we had skipped breakfast – although I had been sitting quietly and minding my manners through the meeting, as they were wrapping I up I remembered to ask them where we could eat before we went into the temple. They gave us directions to the mall down the street. We butchered the directions but eventually found our way, hurrying in to scarf down some pizza and hurry back out. Following the temple we changed our clothes and prepared to head downtown. Another widow moment – I struck up a conversation with a woman who had been widowed three years. Again there was an immediate connection – this is quite a thing!
Thankfully we had also asked for ideas on parking in Rome. I had always been in some sort of taxi but now Stacey was courageously driving. Driving in Italy is packed full of challenges but fortunately we are both the type to shrug off wrong turns and laugh at precarious parking situations. Eventually we made it out onto the street and, walking briskly, were able to take in most of the ancient Roman sights: the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Forum and the Colosseum and everything in between. We popped into a little cafe for a delicious dinner. We were exhausted but also energized by the day by all that we had experienced.
The weather was beautiful and Mark would have absolutely loved the whole experience. I longed to have him walking with us and I could guess what his reactions would have been. Stacey is also a good friend to Mark so we spoke of him as though we were enjoying his company after all. Did it make me sad? Yes, but perhaps more melancholy. Nevertheless I find that I am able to enjoy the moment and continue to feel Mark encouraging me to live, learn, laugh and love. I just wish that I could text him photos and call him at the end of the day.
Learning-Laughing-Loving-Life 