Healing my "Heart" in Spain Part 9

Monday, March 14

While in Barcelona we visited a open market that was incredible!
We were "kids in the candy shop!"

Of course I spotted the HEART candy!

Beautifully arranged fruit!

Fresh fruit smoothies!

Oh nuts!

...to be continued!

Healing my "Heart" in Barcalona, Spain Part 8

Barcelona, Spain

We arrived to Catalunya. The people here are very proud. They even say, "You're not
in Spain...
you're in Catalunya!

We ate Tapas and then walked down the Ramblas...
shops on every side, flowers, souvenirs, food etc!

....to be continued!

Healing my "Heart" Part 7

Soggy Heart!

Sunday, March 13

Ate breakfast at the hotel.... croissant, orange juice, yogurt & cheese.

Just visited Pont du Gard, in Genova....
This is a Roman bridge aqueduct that was built in the 1st Century AD. It brought 44 million gallons of water per day to the fountains and baths and homes of the citizens of Nimes, France.

It was raining CATS & DOGS... our umbrella's were soaked an so were we!

Etched into the bridge in 1833

Visited a garden/building where Vincent Van Gogh did some of his painting...

Loved this door handle.....

......to be continued

Healing my "Heart" in France Part 6

Saturday, March 12 2011

Started out for France around 8am. Today we are driving, driving, driving. We passed by beautifully terraced hills with quaint old Italian homes. Beautiful Mediterranean views!
The minute we crossed into France...
the wind became fierce and cold. We passed Nice (the birthplace of Alain's mother), and Cannes (the place she grew up).
I am doing a lot of reading... I have my I-Touch where I can read scriptures and lots of conference talks.
I have received so much comfort and inspiration and even direction...

We made it to Arles, France!
The older woman who greeted us was friendly and helpful and spoke English.
We went out walking the narrow streets holding our umbrella's. We laughed so hard
when one of ours would be blown completely inside out! We would just turn around
until it blew back the right way.

We visited a Roman Amphitheater built in 90 A.D. Whoa!
It could seat 20,000 spectators. The Roman public delighted in watching gladiators or animals fight. In the Middle ages, it became a fortress.
Bullfights have been taking place since 1830.

We ate at at Restaurant Le Galoubet!
There was a fireplace with a cozy fire right by our table.
Our meal was delicious! Dessert was baked apple with a dab of vanilla ice cream.

Oh my!
I had a HARD TIME FALLING ASLEEP... kept thinking of the "WHAT IF" about my Alain!

Healing my "Heart" in Italy Part 5

As we traveled north in Italy, the "Autogrill" became our friend... bathroom breaks, restaurants, more bathroom breaks... you get the picture.
Sometimes we had to pay
to use the bathroom, and we always made sure we had our own T.P. And I could never get used to not having a toliet seat. Eeeeeuuuuu!

We had a very nice automobile to travel in.... these are some of the typical scenes of our travels...

We drove to the city of Pisa, and visited the Field of Miracles. Inside these walls is where
the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" stands...(or leans!)

Healing my "Heart" Part 4

Continuing on with my day in downtown Naples...

Thursday, March 10

I am by the fireplace in Shawno and Carol's kitchen. It is so warm and inviting. We have had a long day, and Carol is fixing us another delicious meal.

We drove to Pozzuoli to the train station. We rode the train to downtown NAPLES. We walked and walked and walked, just like "little pioneer children..." I took many pictures! I loved watching small groups of men huddled together talking, very animated, using their hands and intense expressions to communicate. The traffic is CRAZY with a capital "C"! I kept expecting to see a crash or be in one. Scooters everywhere, cars driving fast on the narrow streets...parked every which way on both sides of the street. I know we were watched over and blessed.















As I began to miss my Alain, I decided to just "write to him."

Alain,

Honey, I can't express in words how empty I feel without you. I'm SO afraid that each day without you will somehow make you feel that much farther away from me. I try to picture your face, your skin, your hands, your touch.... I try to see your smile, hear your voice, feel your arms around me. All I can think about is how one day you were here, and our lives, our love, our plans, seemed so real and vibrant, and the next day you were gone... you are gone. I want to wish you back, I want you, I really, really love and miss US! I keep trying to be "realistic," "mature," strong!" It just HURTS!... my heart is very heavy. You brought so much light and joy and comfort and security to my life. It feels like a punishment to be alone now. I feel like I must have done something bad or wrong. Oh how I wish I could just hold you, kiss you and talk to you...just one more time. I'm praying that somehow you can stay close by us. I'm finding it hard to project my life from now on. I picture me being strong by being busy, going back to school, home improvement projects, time with our grandchildren and family, making friends and being with people in the ward. Then I picture myself alone in a quiet house, month after month, year after year, without my best friend. When will we be together again? Honey, I know I've felt you say to me, "TRUST...it will be OK." So, I have a choice to move forward, step after step. I will try to make you proud. Our temple covenants bring me peace and hope. Why did you have to be so wonderful?

PS. While you're building our mansion above, could I request a fireplace in the kitchen?

....to be continued!