Ciao (chow) for now!

Finally, my summer days spent serving Sicilian salads, and pistachio gelato has paid off, and I am on my way to being served, and eating it myself in the authentic heart of Italy. Despite the hurdles it took to make it to this point, I realize it was not all in vain. When I look back on this opportunity in years to come, the money it took to make it out here will be lost and forgotten, however the memories and experiences made will remain. I understand I am so unbelievably blessed be able to have this opportunity and for that, I am forever grateful. Though I am happy and excited to embark on this journey of a lifetime, I am sad to leave my family and friends in Canton; and I am sure these feelings of sadness are mutual… at least I hope :)

I put together a little list for my family, in case any of them would forget the personality I bring our household…
1. This year you won’t have the premature feelings of Christmas cheer in your hearts, because I won’t be home to play and sing Christmas Carrols in the middle of October!
2. Halloween will be less spooky this year, seeing as I am the only one to ever carve jack-o-lanterns every October. Someone may have to step up and take over this annual duty of mine.
3. Frances will have to resume her former duty of feeding my precious children every day; Scout, Rascal, Buddy, and my sweet Shiloh 
4. Our beloved chore list will grow two smaller; mine and Sarah’s weekly chores will have to be fairly divvied up between the remainder of the household….sorry guys!
5. The Thanksgiving turkey will not be up to par this year, because I won’t be there to inject it with my creation of herbs, and the animals eaten at Thanksgiving meal will have one less prayer, because I won’t be at the table to offer up my annual petition for the all of the animals eaten during Thanksgiving day.
6. Putting up Christmas won’t be as fun without me there, getting sidetracked and distracted by the musical snow globes, or stockings that have left over year old candies still inside them.
7. Black Friday won’t be the same without Sarah and I there to ‘line cut’ extreme shoppers in Target at 3AM, or get thrown out of the line at Joann Fabrics for saving spots in line.
I will miss you all, and until I see you next…CIAO!!