Yesterday when I went to the market I could not help but feel a touch of spring in the air when I saw the flowers and perennials out for sale. To smell the aromas and see the bright colours energized me.
Today it is another beautiful day here in Florence. It is odd because it feels like spring and looks like spring, yet it is the middle of January. As I ran today I could feel the warm sun beating down on my face. It felt so good. While I was not planning on a long run today, before I knew it I found myself running along one bank of the Arno, across a bridge, and then along the left bank. As I crossed over to the left bank and looked across at the sun hitting the top of Duomo and the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, and then I looked down to see the calmness of the Arno, I was so overtaken by the beauty that I just stopped....stopped to take a moment to enjoy all that was before me. Even though with the warm weather there were lots of people walking, and fellow joggers running, it just felt very peaceful. It is hard to put into words how I felt. I think it is just one of those moments that you have to experience yourself to truly appreciate it. How lucky I am to be here to experience moments like this. Sometimes when we are faced with life stressors we forget to take time to enjoy the little moments in life. Today I took the time. Today I gave that gift to myself.
I then felt so energized that I just kept running and running. I found myself crossing over the Ponte Vecchio, navigating my way through the crowds of people. While I could have made my way back to my apartment at that point, I just didn't want to. While most days I have to push myself to get out the door for my run, today I did not want it to end, so I just kept going.
Now that I am back at my apartment I have decided that today I am going to give myself another gift .....a scoop of Baci gelato. It doesn't get any better. The combination of my favourite Italian candy with chocolate gelato. For me the greatest gifts that the Italians have given us are not the the world famous Renaissance paintings, but instead Baci and gelato. After my long run I may even be really decadent and get a small scoop, instead of my usual extra small scoop. Oh what the hell, I am in Florence. You only live once.
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