Twenty-five years ago, I wasn't sure I could do it all myself. There were things I didn't do very well, but that I learned I could do, such as raising happy reasonably well adjusted young men while working a demanding full time job. Today, my career accomplishments mean nothing compared to the achievement of raising two fantastic sons who are amazing fathers with big hearts and a love for life.
If you know a single mom, please reach out and offer to help by taking the kids for an afternoon, buying her some groceries (don't ask what she needs; we are a proud bunch and will say "nothing" even when we need the basics), taking her to lunch, or buying her a coffee. Just do it. Anything helps! Thanks to all the friends who just did things for me when I needed help. You made a difference!
The hardest lesson of the past few years has been that everything takes time and patience is a virtue that can be improved upon with effort. Really focused effort.
At the close of 2019, I am thinking fondly of those who helped me in so many ways, especially my family and friends who pitched in when I needed them. Nature, my second love, has kept me focused and smiling this year, and travel has simply given me a thirst for more. I'll be back in Italy in 2020, God willing.
