Sometimes things just don't want to go our way. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, no matter how many plans we make ,we just can't make it work. And this makes us mad...soooo mad...
This is exactly what happened to me when for a cruel coincidence I missed James and Paige's visit to Italy in 2005. The adjective "cruel" sounds too strong?...Keep reading...
So...my husband and I had just moved back to Italy in 2004 and Paige and I used to stay in touch through emails. I used to tell her how fun it would have been to spend some time together in Italy again. I kept hoping someday the four of us could have traveled together around my beloved country.
Well, the day finally comes, I had just told Paige that we were expecting our first child and she tells me that they are planning to fly to Italy. Was I excited? Much more than you think! Was I heart broken? YES...when I found out that the same dates that Paige and James had chosen for their Italian holidays, coincided with our planned trip to...the States...yes...They flew to Italy...we flew to the States...we could have almost waived at each other from the plane...
We only had ONE day in which we could have met. The day after we would have flown back to Italy which was the day before James and Paige would have flown back to Seattle... and unfortunately it didn't work out. I bet "cruel" doesn't sound as bad as it did at the beginning of the story, does it? Told ya.
Paige and James got to spend a couple of days in our apartment (the only good aspect of us not being there I guess ; ) ) and got to visit with my parents and my sister. It still upsets me today as it did six years ago...actually it upsets me more today. I still would like to have somebody tell me why in the world of all dates to travel to Italy those two picked the same dates we had chosen....(...James...not cool).
Well...all I have left of that "missed visit" that I will regret forever, are the emails we exchanged, a cute thank you note that Paige wrote and left in our apartment, and some presents they brought to my parents and of course a bunch of "What ifs" in my heart...
On the 20th of July the Tour De France will stop in Pinerolo. The whole town is getting ready. You can breathe the excitement for the big event that of course makes me think about Paige and her love for this sport...and about that unfortunate missed chance to see her.
I bet she'll follow the Tour again somehow...and this time I won't fly to the States...just in case ; )
Stefania
Some of Paige's emails about the trip
Hey there sweet girl!
I just wanted to let you know that I got your hi! it was very cute. Also, good news is that we bought our tickets to Italy for July 11th to the 28th. So We are excited to come and see you and your parents at some point. We were thinking we would like to see the Tour de France if it comes close to Pinerollo some time...We will fill you in when we have a better Idea what is going on:)
I am at school right now, so I have to go!
love
Paige
(...)
We would love to have pizza and gelato! We
are thinking about staying in Pinerollo, and then
having a road trip to France so we can see the Tour De
France. I think we will be in Pinerollo around the
13th and 14th of July, and visiting france those days,
and visiting you and your family those days if you are
around!
(...)
Thanks for your email. It is always so good to hear
from you. You are wonderful in so many ways!
We are sending you our love and lots of hugs and
kisses too!
Love
Paige
STEFY!!!!
WoW. What great news. Congratulations. We are
getting ready to fly over the ocean. I want to call
and talk to you. Give me your phone number, I can
call in the morning here which is early eavning where
you are.
WE will be in Italy from the 12th through the 28th.
We want to see the Tour de France on the 13th and 14th
which is close to pinerollo. Hopefully we can figure
something out.
Give me your phone # so we can talk. I cant wait!
Congratulations. I hope you are feeling well!
love paige
P.S. I was just sitting down to send you an email,
and I had one from you already here this morning.
CrAZY!Paige
Stefy,
I hope you are feeling o.k. in the Italian heat. I am
thinking of you, and we are totally bummed that we
didn't get to see you in Italy. I sure hope your trip
to the states was fun.
We had such a great time with your parents and sister.
They were wonderful! And of course they were funny!
We tried to call you from Milano when we got there.
We tried a couple of times and couldn't reach you. We
went shopping and came back and tried again, and we
tried to call your parents house too. You must have
been out to dinner or something...
Anyway. We had a great time in Italy! We got to see
the tour de France and we went to pinerolo and spend
some time with your family. then we went to Chieri,
and Torino with the Narduzzi's. They were so great
and then we met some people that James knew in Asti.
Then we went to Savona. that was pretty cool. James'
friends took us up to Valle D'aosta. It was awesome,
then we went swimming at the sea the next day. Then
we went to genova:) We went to Portofino and Cinque
terre. and then we went to Venezia.
Overall, it was a great trip. Missed you, but I hope
you had a good time. I really hope you are feeling
better. congratulations that you know he is a boy!Much Love!
Paige
Souvenirs from Seattle
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