Last Sunday was the first one of Advent, for those who did not know already, and my host family went to Germany for the weekend. I stayed behind because they were flying and it would have been too much trouble. I had a wonderful start to my Advent season, however.
On Saturday I tutored three families in the morning then made a surprise visit to my past aupair family, from over the summer. It had snowed that morning, and although it did not stick, it was COLD. However, seeing Nicoletta's reaction to me showing up would have been worth trudging through a blizzard. She was outside playing with her neighbor friend, Sophie, and her beautiful white golden retriever named Sam. I ran to her screaming her name like a crazy person. I missed her and it was a happy little reunion. I promised to make more visits especially with Christmas break around the corner.
Sunday was even better. I had squished all those tutoring sessions in the day before so I could go to Mass at Il Duomo. There were violet decorations and flowers surrounding the altar and many people in attendance. I was glad to find out that they block almost all of the cathedral off to tourists on Sundays, to preserve the celebration, because that is the negative part about stunning Catholic churches. (BTW, I no longer consider myself a tourist since I can now give directions to lost tourists...plus downtown Milan is not big at all.) The Mass was lovely and I noticed that the lectors always ask the priest for a blessing before reading. I think it adds a nice reverence for what is about to be said.
And on my way home, as I was enjoying such a peaceful moment, I met a woman who might just be the answer to what I am searching for, in Italy....but I will go into that later.
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