The Reals Series is meant to entertain while informing via trivial information only somewhat relevant to the topic et avec un peu d’humour (except for today).

Not to be confused with a trip report – life behind the postcard is a snap shot of real.

The reality behind the travel blogs and the picture perfect postcards.

Real life, real people, real moments.

Tuscany –

There are moments in this life where we all exclaim “I’ve died and gone to Heaven.”

You want to walk toward the light!  You’ll miss your loved ones – BUT, this is Heaven.

This is Tuscany.

September 2019, we chose to start our European holiday in Florence, Italy before slowly making our way to Paris, France and then to my mother-in-law’s house in the west of France.

It has taken me months to even attempt to verbalize our Tuscan experience.  To attempt to capture the moments and relay the sense of peace and the experience of pure joy.

I planned to simply write about the most beautiful rainy day, a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, and an overlook. 

I planned to describe this real with perfectly chosen words, immaculately showcased with photos of brilliant sunsets, stunning Italian landscapes, and the most delicious food and wine one can imagine.   

…But now watching this virus run rampant through Italy leaves me in tears and completely unable and uninterested in writing of such trivial thoughts.  

This series was my feeble attempt to look beyond the postcard and to look at the reals.

The real moments of life – beyond the vacations and staged settings.

To simply look at real people.

Out of respect for all those who have lost their lives and for the families left behind, I’m pausing my Tuscan recall.  And placing the day’s intention on PRAYER.

What’s going on in Italy (globally) is a real I simply can’t write about.  I have no words.  

So many lost.  Gone in an instant.  Now part of a historical statistic.  

Maybe one day, I’ll write about the most beautiful rainy day, a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, and an overlook.  

Meanwhile, #together we wait for life’s color to return.

Oh Lord, hear our prayer. 

Suz!