Hi Tracey, I so enjoyed reading this and getting to know your story and the focus of this writing space. I immediately thought of the novelist Dani Shapiro and her memoir Inheritance. Do you know it, and her story, which sounds similar in some ways to yours? https://danishapiro.com/books/inheritance/. Dani is a gorgeous writer and incredible writing teacher, from what I hear. I loved her novel Signal Fires, which included a sensitive portrayal of an older female character experiencing dementia--a topic that I have focused on in my Substack. I look forward to reading your essays. And of course coming to know your work through our WITD publishing group! By the way, Your chocolate snobbery sounds completely reasonable to me. What a delicious company to found. And I understand the longing to explore Italy, such a beautiful country. I am moving to Spain to be closer to my two young adult daughters, Marielle who lives in Barcelona with her Chilean boyfriend, and Sara, who lives in Paris with her Moroccan fiance, Ilias. They are dual nationals_American-Swedish (their dad, my ex, is Swedish) and my daughters plan to live in Europe for the long term. And so I feel called back to Europe, where I lived for 22 years. I divorced amicably (a divorce I initiated) in 2022 and my caregiving for my mother with dementia ended, as it inevitably would, with her passing in April, and so I am free to pursue my destiny where ever it calls me. Barcelona awaits:-)
What a wonderful thing to be "free to pursue my destiny wherever it calls me!" If my kids lived in Europe, I'd move to Italy (at least part time) in a heartbeat. How exciting for you. :)
Dani Shapiro's book was the first I read. That first year after the discovery I was hungry for information. Pretty sure I've read almost every book written even remotely related to the topic! Films and documentaries too. I haven't read any of her other books and will add Signal Fires to the list. Since joining WITD, my list of books to read keeps growing, and I'm trying to pay more attention when I read, so it's taking me awhile to get through everything.
I look forward to heading over to your Substack and engaging more closely with your work!
Hi Tracey, I so enjoyed reading this and getting to know your story and the focus of this writing space. I immediately thought of the novelist Dani Shapiro and her memoir Inheritance. Do you know it, and her story, which sounds similar in some ways to yours? https://danishapiro.com/books/inheritance/. Dani is a gorgeous writer and incredible writing teacher, from what I hear. I loved her novel Signal Fires, which included a sensitive portrayal of an older female character experiencing dementia--a topic that I have focused on in my Substack. I look forward to reading your essays. And of course coming to know your work through our WITD publishing group! By the way, Your chocolate snobbery sounds completely reasonable to me. What a delicious company to found. And I understand the longing to explore Italy, such a beautiful country. I am moving to Spain to be closer to my two young adult daughters, Marielle who lives in Barcelona with her Chilean boyfriend, and Sara, who lives in Paris with her Moroccan fiance, Ilias. They are dual nationals_American-Swedish (their dad, my ex, is Swedish) and my daughters plan to live in Europe for the long term. And so I feel called back to Europe, where I lived for 22 years. I divorced amicably (a divorce I initiated) in 2022 and my caregiving for my mother with dementia ended, as it inevitably would, with her passing in April, and so I am free to pursue my destiny where ever it calls me. Barcelona awaits:-)
What a wonderful thing to be "free to pursue my destiny wherever it calls me!" If my kids lived in Europe, I'd move to Italy (at least part time) in a heartbeat. How exciting for you. :)
Dani Shapiro's book was the first I read. That first year after the discovery I was hungry for information. Pretty sure I've read almost every book written even remotely related to the topic! Films and documentaries too. I haven't read any of her other books and will add Signal Fires to the list. Since joining WITD, my list of books to read keeps growing, and I'm trying to pay more attention when I read, so it's taking me awhile to get through everything.
I look forward to heading over to your Substack and engaging more closely with your work!
Thanks for this wonderful note!