Speranza

This morning I stood shoulder to shoulder in the crowded Piazza Il Duomo to watch Scoppio del Carro (explosion of the cart) - a Florentine tradition used to celebrate Easter - and as the dove flew out of the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and into the cart to ignite the spectacular fireworks, I reflected upon this symbolic referrence to new hope and life.

The Italian word Speranza (hope), for me is a word filled with beauty and tenderness.

With the speranza for love, work and the chance to create a future in Italy, I returned to Florence again this year and even though things have changed, I have changed and the outcomes are not what I want - my prayers have been answered and there is clarity and closure.

Florence will probably always resonant with me. Especially as my experiences in recent years have been deeply important to me, but no matter how much I truly love being here, at this point in time I do not sense and believe that I can create a home and future here.  It's time to embrace truth and focus my energies on new beginnings.