"Don't Be Sad"

I woke up this morning to a cloudy rainy day.  Usually when I wake up, I check my email and Facebook.  The first email I received was from my aunt with the subject "Don't Be Sad."

Mags--Don't be sad.
Be glad that
you had a great time in Ireland with Jess et al
got to see Paris
spent a month in Italy
met wonderful new friends
are going to see your mother, Charlie, and Kathleen the day after tomorrow
still have Venice, Florence, and Capri to see
are loved by those who have stayed at home. --Ann

My aunt knows me all too well.  Today I have to start packing for the last leg of my traveling affair.  I leave tomorrow (Saturday) morning to meet up with part of my family in Venice.  My mom has never been to Italy, and it has always been a dream of hers to come.  What perfect timing?! She is going to be able to see a lot of Italy in her 2 week stay, and you will be able to hear all about it as the time comes.  My 20 year old brother, Charlie, is also coming along.  When my siblings and I were younger, we were all taken to Europe for a three week trip with my Aunt Ann and my grandparents.  The only sibling that didn't get a chance was Charlie.  Because of 9/11, the family was hesitant to fly abroad.  The family instead took Charlie on a three week road trip through Nova Scotia.  My grandfather, Marty, always wanted Charlie to have his chance to go to Europe, so this is his chance.  As for my sister, Kathleen, who is tagging along on the trip.  She seriously is just a tag along.  My mom was worried about leaving her at home, and Kathleen didn't want to stay at a friend or relative's house (she really played her cards right on this one).  Therefore, Kathleen gets to tag along on her second trip to Europe at the age of sixteen.

My last 24 hours in Potenza Picena will consist of me packing, teaching Gregorio his last English lesson, and having a nice dinner with the family and their friends.  The last two nights have been a good send off here in Potenza Picena.  On Wednesday night I had pizza with my friend Chelsey and her host family.  Last night I had dinner with Michela and Alfredo's good friends Massimo and Veronica.  Massimo and Veronica are a lot of fun to be around and their two boys are so adorable.  We ate sushi and drank wine.  I got to hear some fun stories about the families, and I learned a lot about them too.  I feel as if we all just got really comfortable with one another, and now it is time to leave.  Tonight Michela's friend from Ravenna is coming with her family to spend the weekend.  They will be making dinner for everyone.

I am full of mixed emotions about leaving, but I guess I will take some friendly advice--"Don't Be Sad."