I sit here at my desk, looking out the windows at the ever-changing landscape of the city of Rome. As the bells ring throughout the city, as the clanging breaks through the day to day living of this very lively place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here while I write this book, my book, which is dedicated to all of you.

My Italian Therapy encompassed my whole world for the last 13 years, including me being here in Italy as I wrote it. My recovery from breast cancer 13 years ago has been a process. A process of discovery, learning, growing, listening, creating, and accepting what the world has to offer every day. My Italian Therapy would not be complete without incorporating a little of what Italy has to offer as well. To learn to live "La Dolce Vita", the sweet life, is what recovery is all about. Letting go of old ways and beginning again, accepting the path God and the universe has given you. Learning to listen with all of your senses.

Italy has a way of bringing that into my world, while at home in my comfortable life of consistency I could not fully grasp it. Sometimes we must leave the comforts of our surroundings to be able to get in touch with something deep inside of us. The core of our being sometimes needs to be rattled. Why Italy? Why Rome? I have yet to answer that myself and maybe by the end of this book and by the end of my time here we will all know.

Rome, the eternal city, captured my heart from the moment I arrived for the first time in 2004, from its monstrous monuments, busy bustling pulsing city, its vast history, romantic language of love, its familiar food, glorious sunsets, its powerful rainstorms, works of the masters, and everything Italy encompasses.

Rome went deep and far into my soul and stuck. With each trip I wanted more. After every coin in the fountain, it brought me back faster and faster, longer and longer, until suddenly here I was for three months writing this book.

My heritage is purely Italian. My great grandparents originated from the Foggia/Troia area of the Puglia and Calabria regions. I grew up on Italian food, Italian wine, and an Italian lineage in my veins I have yet to fully discover, which led me to this place called Italy.

Most come on a holiday for a few days, a week perhaps, maybe a little longer, but I longed for more (desiderio di più): more of the language, more of the culture, more of the people. Italians have a way of making something more exotic out of life, more adventurous, lovelier, and more relaxing. In Italy, to me, even hanging laundry is beautiful, as it stretches from end to end between two ancient buildings (antichi edifici). My passion is not only writing but photography, and as I take photos in this grand city, I try to capture the endless majesty of her churches, monuments, and people. It is becoming therapeutic.

Therein lies my very reason for coming. The reason I am here: to write, to listen, to learn, to grow, and to come full circle. It is what I must do at this point in my life, and I thank you all for coming along on this journey of discovery with me. I am grateful that what I am about to share may help you or someone you know. Come along, it will be fun. Come share “La Dolce Vita” with me.