Do you ever feel like life hands you lemons?
In our case, this weekend….it was Italian tomatoes.
And they were thrown in our face.
I’ve recently started writing in a journal again – something that I have always loved to do. Some people say – – well isn’t your blog your journal? And while yes, my blog does document most of the happenings in my life – – it doesn’t document some of my inner most personal feelings.
Sometimes I feel that people share TOO much online.
My journal is for ME. And my heritage.
It’s for ME to divulge every last thought and feeling of mine.
So last night, after what seemed like an unbelievable day – – I wrote in my journal so that I would never forget what happened.
Here are a few short excerpts explaining our day:
Joe and I were supposed to head to
Milan, Italy this morning. We’ve been
looking forward to this trip for months now.
Joe actually won the trip at work by selling a certain amount of
Bertazonni products – – an Italian brand appliance. This trip was entirely paid
for by Bertazonni (except for the first 2 nights which we were going to explore
on our own). We were planning to be
there for a week.
Milan, Italy this morning. We’ve been
looking forward to this trip for months now.
Joe actually won the trip at work by selling a certain amount of
Bertazonni products – – an Italian brand appliance. This trip was entirely paid
for by Bertazonni (except for the first 2 nights which we were going to explore
on our own). We were planning to be
there for a week.
We packed up our kids and arranged for
them to stay with our parents. We got
Cubby all situated and planned for him to be taken care of. We arrived at the airport at 5 am this
morning, all ready to check in with our luggage packed – – only to be told that
Joe’s passport expires within 3 months of us returning next week – – and as a
result – – they would not let him fly or leave the country.
them to stay with our parents. We got
Cubby all situated and planned for him to be taken care of. We arrived at the airport at 5 am this
morning, all ready to check in with our luggage packed – – only to be told that
Joe’s passport expires within 3 months of us returning next week – – and as a
result – – they would not let him fly or leave the country.
To say that we were crushed is an
understatement. WE WERE DEVASTATED!!!
The look on Joe’s face – – I’ll never forget.
He has worked SO hard for this trip.
We’ve both been SO excited about this trip. It was almost like someone
was playing a joke on us.
understatement. WE WERE DEVASTATED!!!
The look on Joe’s face – – I’ll never forget.
He has worked SO hard for this trip.
We’ve both been SO excited about this trip. It was almost like someone
was playing a joke on us.
It must not have been meant to be. That’s all I can think of. I strongly believe that the Lord is in the
details of our lives – – there is a reason that we were not to go on this
trip. I’m holding onto that belief right
now. Because if I don’t – – I’ll probably cry myself to sleep.
details of our lives – – there is a reason that we were not to go on this
trip. I’m holding onto that belief right
now. Because if I don’t – – I’ll probably cry myself to sleep.
The Lord apparently has different
things in mind for us right now.
things in mind for us right now.
Who knows why we were not meant to go
on this trip. We may never know. And as sad as I am tonight to think about it
– – I am comforted in knowing that everything will work out how it should.
on this trip. We may never know. And as sad as I am tonight to think about it
– – I am comforted in knowing that everything will work out how it should.
I am grateful to have a home to come
home to. I am grateful to be able to
spend the 2nd week of fall break with my children – – who I would’ve
probably missed dearly. I am grateful to
have a week with NOTHING to do so that I can recharge myself. Recharging is exactly what I need.
home to. I am grateful to be able to
spend the 2nd week of fall break with my children – – who I would’ve
probably missed dearly. I am grateful to
have a week with NOTHING to do so that I can recharge myself. Recharging is exactly what I need.
There
is a silver lining. The airline is allowing us to use our plane tickets to fly anywhere in the
world before August of next year. This
is a HUGE relief. We will celebrate our
15th anniversary next year SOMEWHERE WONDERFUL. And maybe, just maybe by that time…we’ll
understand why this all was meant to be.
When so much bad is happening in the world right now, I really do feel silly complaining about this minor incovenience.
Yes – – it was a trip of a lifetime that we were dearly looking forward to. BUT…considering the events in Las Vegas last week….it really doesn’t matter. At all.
We are surrounded by loved ones. We have our health. And we know that God lives.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
We ate lunch at Oregano’s yesterday afternoon before we picked our kids back up from Joe’s parents house. Oregano’s is one of our favorite ‘Italian’ places to eat. And boy did we eat. I pretty much ate away all of my emotions with this pazookie.😅
So yeah…that was our weekend in a nutshell.
Some day we’ll make it to Italy.
Some day.
So sorry for the disappointing news. I admire your faith and the positive take on things and will learn for our own travel plans in the future to stay on top of those passport dates. Who knew?
Thanks Barbara. I appreciate your kind comment so much! Xoxo
I was thinking this morning how sad I am for you guys and yet what great examples you are. Just like your back to school theme this year, you have risen above this set back and gone forward with happiness. Thanks for being great examples to my family!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Angie. I so appreciate your words of kindness. Xoxo