Has a moment ever taken your Breath away? I mean literally, to the extent that you are choking because air has escaped you? Then, when you think you are on the verge of needing help, your body starts to cry, great, big, gasping sobs? I assume this is the body's natural means of jump starting what should be a involuntary action, but I'm not a doctor so I can only assume.
I thought about including a picture of what I was seeing when this happened but I chose not to for two reasons: 1. a picture could not possibly do it justice, and 2. I don't think it was just the view that I was experiencing.
I'd been stuck in my apartment all day, reading and researching, trying to ignore the fact that Cortona looked exactly like Seattle on a cold and dreary February day. The fog was really thick and only the tourists, with their brightly colored umbrellas, were out in this soup. Then, out of the fog, came the Tuscan sun at about 6pm, a perfect time to quit working and pick-up some pasta to go with my earthy spinach (spinach like you have never tasted before-might as well be a different vegetable.)
A lovely woman at the small pasta shop gave me a helping for 1-uno-without me asking, or her inquiring about the amount (I suppose I could have taken offense, but maybe word has gotten around!!) gnocchi and rague to go-gratzie! As I departed the shop 10 doors down from my apartment, I took the round-about way home- curious to see if the sun was just a mirage.
As I rounded the corner where my favorite backyard garden grows, with juicy purple grapes weighing down their vines, my breath was taken away. The fog was burning off into the mountains leaving the valley basking in the Tuscan sun that bounced off the terra cotta tiles of S. Maria Nuovo, setting all ablaze. The church bells from S. Margherita started ringing and the silver olive trees glistened from the new rains, the air smelled earthy and freshly washed, and the sun was warm and sweet. I was overwhelmed, then the sobs came to my rescue.
After recovering from my chest pains, I headed to Spar to pick-up my Sangiovese di Toscana and my cioccolate al peperoncion, or chilli pepper chocolate ice cream. I'm going to try and create another moment with a fantastic dinner. If that doesn't do it, my first Cortona Food Market tomorrow morning might! I promise pictures next time.
Buonasera
PS This was not the first moment in my life where my breath has been stolen. Perhaps you've had a similar experience: holding you child for the first time, sky-diving, summitting, saying goodbye to someone you love. If you care to share your moment, I welcome your comments.
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3 comments:
I can relate to the not being able to breathe often.... Something that seems to amaze me everyday is the mind (and memory) of a five year old child. There are days where Logan talks about my Dad more then others. Yesterday was one of those days. It takes my breath away everytime he says "Remember when Pa Pa...." That was one of my biggest fears when my father died that Logan wouldn't rememeber him. I think yesterday my fears were put to rest when he said "Mom.. rememeber when Pa Pa would make meatloaf for everyone for dinner!" Took my breath away and i fealt a release of something from my chest and I thought "Whew! He remembers the Sunday dinners!"
Thinking of you.
No fair, making me cry at work.
Your epiphany is a joy in and of itself. I'm grateful for it.
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