born in tuscany

We are on a bus ride from La Spezia to Lucca, Italy and I am fortunate to have a window seat to admire the Tuscan scenery.

It can be easy to not even pay attention to the view when your mind is focused on the past or future, so I really tried to look close at the colorful buildings and rolling hills.

As I did, we drove past a river with an arched bridge, rolling hills in the distance. There was a small worn path next to the water and I could just picture an Italian woman going for a morning stroll with her dog. I noticed a small cluster of houses nearby with lovely gardens amongst the trees. 

My next thought was “how are some people just born here???” I imagined what life would be like to wake up there and it was just normal. I’m sure they find their home beautiful, but perhaps the sense of wonder fades over time. 

Then I pictured the streets of Mt Olympus Cove, the first place I called home. Walking up those hills with my mom, in the shadow of the mountain. 

I was just born here too. A place of peace and joy and the gospel.