On the first Saturday after my quarantine, I had a "lunch date" with a friend. I wore the designer sunglasses that my daughter secretly placed in my backpack before I left her apartment in the US to return to my apartment in Florence. I also wore my new Italian watch and a fresh hairstyle. The sun was shining as I walked to Piazza Santo Spirito, and I began to understand why Italians value a good haircut and great sunglasses. I had a bounce in my step and extra confidence; when a couple of heads turned as I walked past, my spirit was even lighter. Is this what is meant by sprezzatura?
A couple of days after I returned to Florence, I finally had the energy to clean out my backpack. When I discovered the sunglasses, I sat on my bed and cried. The last few months had been such a mix of emotions. For every positive, there was a negative. For the first month I was with a good friend at his beautiful home, but waiting for news about my mother's health. When I could get to see my mom, she lasted only three more days, but that was followed by good times with my brothers. I navigated airports and planes during the pandemic to spend time with each of my kids, and the days with them were wonderful. No distractions, no arguments, just lots of hiking, shopping, cooking, talking. Alone in Florence again, I missed all the company of the previous months.
The sunglasses, however, just might be part of my daughter's plan to help in my transformation of being more "chic" here in Italy. At her apartment, she wanted me to try on some of her sunglasses and pick out a new look. Little did I know that the pair I liked the most would take the trip with me. I do love her attention to fashion details, and I'll do my best to pay attention, too.
(Lunch outside at Piazza Santa Spirito with Salvatore, Kimberly's boyfriend; Kimberly, taking the photo; and me. In true Italian style, we sat together for hours!)
