I took a walk last night, I needed some air. I had been doing homework or catching up with life back home the entire day and sometimes the night air seems to help me relax and refocus. I saw the moon for the first time since I’ve been here- being inside the walls prevents us from seeing the sunrise and set. I calmly strolled the cobble stones, I’m trying to be more Italian, and watched my surroundings while listening to what Art calls my whinny indie music. It was the perfect medicine for the week that I had just experienced. It is the perfect medicine for everything.
Experience, no matter good or bad, is still an experience. These were the first words that I heard when entering the beautiful city of Viterbo, Italy. This statement really didn’t mean much to me until this past week, but now I can’t seem to get it out of my head. This rollercoaster I am on never slows down, never stops turning, and sure enough will never stop! However, for the first time in my life I don’t want it to. I want to go at the speed of life and live each day completely filled and fruitful. Now is this just because I am in Italy and hope that each day is rememberable and better than the last, or am I growing up, or getting younger... or maybe just being?
I’m not sure, but everyday here seems like two, every week feels like three weeks... and I think that is because I am actually waking up before nine each day (who knew that people got up that early?!). Life is meant to be lived. Now your right, we all know this- but sometimes we need to reminded. Does this life really matter?
Life taught me the most important lesson this past week. Even though I’m in the most fulfilling city in the world (to me at least), living the dream I have been dreaming for forever, and making friends with some of the most incredible people in the world- we witnessed something tragic and simply beautiful all within a measly two seconds. While sitting at the local caffe, I got a phone call. Not wanting to be rude, I left the building and took my call in the outside sitting area. Half way through I heard a scream. A scream that I can’t even begin to describe. I then witnessed a rushed wave surround a specific area of the street. Not understanding, I got up and slowly approached the situation. Still confused I saw the crumbles of a man. Not knowing what to do, I ran back into the caffe to tell my friends what had just happened. The details are blurry, the sounds sound the same, and the images will never fade- but it was the tragic death of a person that most of us would claim- "didn’t deserve this." Screaming, yelling, and a panic arose in every SINGLE person standing by watching. EVERY SINGLE person in the stores near by ran to the street. No one had a second thought about who was watching the register, no one gave a second thought to what might be happening next on their television show. This city, the family that they are, all grieved and mourned for the sudden accidental death of this man. A man that maybe some of them didn’t know, but that didn’t matter- it was family. He was family. They are family. May I remember what he taught me. ,To be thankful for every moment. To embrace every moment. To love every moment, or experience -good or bad.
Through tragedy, I have found meaning. Through this man’s death, I have found my life. It’s beautiful and I wish that I could be more creative than that, but that’s all I can say.
Even though it took some of us longer than others, we all broke down. Completely sob fast 2010, but it was just what we needed. The bonding that happened that day will never be forgotten. The people I have found myself so close to within just a few weeks became even closer that night. The meanings in life that I found that night, have become more real. As I walk the cities outside Viterbo, as I walk through the garden of Villa Lante, aa I see the masterpieces around me- I declare to think of this man, to think of this night... to always remember that life is worth living every moment. That experiences, good or bad, are experiences. That life isn’t perfect, that life isn’t what we planned, but life is far better than anything I could possibly imagine. So raise your glass, here’s to life. Here is to everything we already knew, but for some reason it took a tragedy for me to realize. Here is to you, your health, and the hope that one day, will be the day, that you realize how much worth you truly have. Until next week, love, love, and maybe just a little more love. Be safe, be happy, no- no- no- be joyous!
Sending <3,
Katy
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