Poignant Moments

Well, today was a day of great moments! First of all, I wish I had my camera on my drive home only moments ago.

I was on the so-called "mountain highway", a two-lane road that runs along the mountain and passes through my village. It's absolutely beautiful. There was a man standing in the middle, wildly swinging a staff of some sort, so I slowed down. It was only then that I realized he was stopping hundreds of sheep from crossing out into traffic!

It was crazy to see how they were completely obeying him and watching his every move to make sure it was fine to cross. It reminded me of a passage I read for this week's Bible study - Ezekiel 34:1-16.

I was actually on my way home from the Venice airport, where I successfully picked up Chris' mobility bag from its long journey of two months from Romania. I have to hand it to Alitalia - I thought the thing was a goner long ago, and never expected we would see it again.

At the airport, there were moments when I still thought we wouldn't see it. They seemed to have lost track of it for about an hour. Then, when I actually got to see the bag, they told me that they didn't think I could take it, since they weren't understanding the power of attorney, husband being in Afghanistan type of deal.

I almost lost it, but surprisingly kept my cool. I think it was because an English couple next to me was going through what was my worst nightmare only weeks ago - they were arriving in Venice for a cruise, and Alitalia lost one of their suitcases. The wife engaged me in conversation - it was clear from the mobility bag, my American accent, and my ID card that my husband was deployed. The husband was a former Parliament member, and on the British Transportation Committee no less. He was trying to keep from hysterics. So, she told me how their grandson had done three tours in Iraq, and that she thinks that I am brave with my husband being deployed.

I had to stop to tell her that it has become routine, and that my husband is the brave one. That reminded me that I need to give Memorial Day wishes to all the great men in my life: Dad, Matt (my brother), Joe (my brother-in-law), and Chris, THANK YOU for all you have done and continue to do to serve and protect our great country!

Now, I must take a moment to brag about my husband. On his way to Afghanistan, he stopped in Germany, and took time to stop in my favorite Christmas store in the whole wide world. I got the package (a total surprise) in the mail today, and it had a beautiful smoker and a cute Bella Befana (Italian Christmas witch) ornament inside! It made my day.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend - I'm going to a winery tomorrow!