La Dolce Vita

Florence has found a home in our hearts this year. But it is the people in this special city that have made this year "la dolce vita", or the sweet life, for us:



like the warm and lovely friends at Centro market. At the deli counter, and throughout the market, we found everything we've needed this year,




 including the smiling faces of the people who worked there;















our neighbor, Luca, who lives in the park outside of our building. We know Luca from the small votive that he lit outside of his tent each evening and by the tour he gave us of his winter shelter, an exchange for cleaning the park bathroom. We know Luca by his care of the park and the residents around it, and by his "Ciao, regazzi!" each time he saw us;



and Angela, who sells the sunflowers we pass on our walk each day. Angela beams like a flower and became a sweet friend the moment we met her.





And Nicola, who operates a small bakery in the open market. We went to the Sant' Ambrogio market regularly to buy local produce, meats and cheeses. Joe went to the market regularly to make friends. This year, Joe discovered yummy biscotti at Nicola's bakery and found in Nicola, a very, dear friend.

We came to know favorite small business owners, like Graciana, an artist who makes beautiful linen dresses and leather handbags,

and enjoyed the many creators of "artiginale" or artisan gelato here in Florence (who definately made our lives sweet this year!).

We came to know the lovely family members who run the Bar Torini, a favorite place for our morning coffee or mid-day pranzo meal (and perfect for home school and campus ministry planning meetings!)

Pat Burke, the dean of Gonzaga in Florence, made our lives sweet this year as did Federica, who helped introduce us to many aspects of her home town of Florence.

Linda (far left) and Shelley (far right) were special colleagues at Gonzaga in Florence and have lived down the hall from us. When they heard that Sophia and Josephine were missing home and school, Linda and Shelley laid their lives down for the girls, sharing Glee episodes, their pet hamsters, craft days and movie nights. They shared Thanksgiving dinner with us and showered us with gifts at Christmastime.

When we asked Sophia what she will miss most about her year in Italy, she didn't hesitate: "Linda and Shelley." (Of course!)

We will miss all of our friends and colleagues at Gonzaga in Florence...

...including the students who have brought sweetness and meaning to our lives this year,

making our lives this year "la dolce vita," a sweet life to savor for many years to come.