On rare occasions, the universe guides you to meet someone in your life who makes a true impact. An impact which will change your life. For me, I met one of these people in a smallish laundromat in Florence, Italy. I met Carol Dao while we were both waiting to do our laundry. She was leaving the next day for Chianti, Italy to complete her book; Q. and I had just arrived. We sat there, waiting and talking. I realized that she was put there for a reason. After I had completed my laundry, I was struck by her strength. She had left California with one suitcase, following her dream living in Italy. She shared that despite growing up in an affluent family in Orange County, California she left an executive position and followed her dream. I admired her strength to do so and I admired her wisdom and insight into life.
Over the next year I found thinking about this seemingly random meeting. I was in a cross roads in my life. My son was nearing the end of earning his college degree and I needed to decide on the next steps in my life. I had not enjoyed living the suburban existence and wanted to pursue a life I had dreamed of. Travel, foreign cultures, friendships with people with different experiences and backgrounds. Quite simply, Carol, perhaps unknowingly, was that catalyst for me.
After visiting the Iberian Peninsula with my son last year, I knew that moving to Portugal was what I was destined to do. I knew, even before I visited Portugal, that this was home. When I saw this country for the first time, it nearly took my breath away. This was it.
Upon attending Q’s graduation from his Army training, I will be picking up and moving to northern Portugal. I’m selling most of my belongings and only keeping those things I value most—mementos of Q. growing up, photographs, a few heirlooms. I find that I am not attached to many material things anymore. It will not bother me one bit leaving these things behind. A few times in our life, we are fortunate to meet these people who propel us to make the changes for which we are destined. I believe this is not by coincidence.
