My Girls, Carolina e Maria and Filippo(Antonella's precious baby boy) That is V's sister. 

I have been pondering all month the importance of being young.  The things you should experience; which is everything you are interested in, I believe.  I look to these faces and think how many wonderful things are ahead in their lives.  Seeing my girls after 6 mos of being away, I was overwhelmed with a bit a motherly love for them.  I spent 9 months of their 4th and 2nd year of their lives, so I feel I should feel this emotion.  I enjoyed seeing their faces when I brought the HUGE bag of goodies for them. 

"La Katie e come Babbo Natale!"("Katie is like Babbo Natale!") Carolina smiled with excitement for the Princess stickers. 

I will never stop being their Tata. 

And then welcome my next youth: Laura Moretti


She takes no guff from anyone.  Demanding her Mother, Barbara, to Vieni qua!(Come here!). Calling herself 'Mima', meaning woman or grandmother, she is a very noble 1 and half year old.  I honestly think she knows more than me.   And as for me, Dammi la palla! (Give me the ball) When were playing 'throw the ball as hard as you can without hitting or breaking your mom's dishes' with Lapo and his friend Marco.  Actually they were hitting Laura extra hard, but she would only cry if no one was watching and tell her mom that Lapo hit her.  Lapo exclaimed, "ho fatto niente, mamma, Kate lo visto, giusto Kate?" (I did nothing, Kate saw, right Kate?")  I was forced to respond well she is fine, I guess.  And before I responded, she was running back to Lapo, her best friend and companion.  "Let's play!!" she yelled. Gorgeous child!

Youth is defined by the Webster's Dictionary as "The time of life when one is young; especially: a: the period between childhood and maturity b: the early period of existence, growth, or development."

Childhood is the time I remember as carefree.  Youth is the time for developing oneself.  Adolescent is the time for growing into oneself and liking it.  And then all of a sudden we are in the 20s, from what I remember is the age from which you are considered "OLD".  And also the age I thought you should have everything figured out, career, marriage, and life in general.  I am sure all of you are all shaking your heads by this time.  As am I knowing this is all a farce. 

The 20s has turned into even more exploration, developing, and growing into myself.  And I couldn't be happier with this time I have spent making enough money from one job, quitting it, and buying a plane ticket to arrive back in Firenze.  Honestly, nothing could make me happier than changing my surroundings constantly and meeting the most amazing people each time I arrive. 

Now being 27 years old, I have finally understood my path and how it has brought me to all the venues I wanted to stop at along the 20s avenue.  I have not regretted one decision I have made for each time I charged the handy dandy credit card or even when I withdrew too much.  HAHA!  All apart of me being me....

I am on my way. 

Which direction am I going?  I'm sure most of you already know.

a presto