What Stories the Cobble Stones Could Tell

Our son had prepared another breathtaking day for us to breath in.  The Bride and Groom went on to Siena, Italy for pictures, while another group of us piled onto a bus for Florence.  We would have only six hours to discover and explore the Birthplace of the Renaissance.  For this history buff, there just wasn't going to be enough time to take it all in...note to self...I AM coming back.

What could these cobblestones tells us?  The footprints of Michelangelo, Dante, Donatello, Leonardo DaVinci... this post can't contain the all the names and events that lived and occurred in this City of Florence.

We tried as hard as we could to pack our day full.  Benjamin and Stephen led the way through the streets of history.  We headed toward Michelangelo's Statue of David.  Once there, Benjamin stood frozen and wouldn't move as he studied the muscles and detail of David and Stephen marveled at the artistry from one piece of stone.  My many art lessons for my children through 25 years of home schooling flooded my mind.  The fact that all beautiful things point to my Creator dominated my thoughts.

After being mesmorized by the timeless statues, we walked (still stunned) into the Duomo, the largest domed cathederal in the renaissance world. Truly, this century produced some of the most amazing architecture and craftsmanship the world has ever seen.  Your physical senses just can't wrap around all that you are seeing.

As we loaded up the bus at the end of the day, I was still reeling like I was in a dream.  On our return trip through Tuscany to the Villa, our minds shifted from the sights and sounds of Florence to the event that had provided such a dream adventure...the rehearsal dinner for our son and his fiance' that was being prepared.

We entered the Villa, dressed for dinner and prepared to honor our son.  Hubby had prepared a wonderful, "Our son is just great!" speech, as well as ending with the strength his new wife would add to his life.  They were both "STARS".

What a joy it was to be able to stand before others and be your child's Biggest Cheerleader.  One guest asked me before "Proud Papa" spoke... "are you going to cry?"  I, matter-of-factly said, "No!, I have done my tears in advance."  I was wrong.  The tears weld up in my eyes for more reasons than I can explain.  You look up and think, "where did the time go?"

Our magical movie fantasy would continue with more "pinch me moments" that I could have never imagined.  Just wait, you will hear how my son and daughter-in-law continued to floor us throughout this surreal, Italian adventure.  I kept thinking "it can't get much better"... and yet it did!!