There are so many things that I learned about the culture I live in and the people I live with, but the best thing that I learned since now is the importance of a family and friends that will always be by your side. During these holidays I had a lof of great moments, like Christmas morning when we opened all our presents and I finally felt like I had a place and people I belonged with, or New Year's Eve, when we had a good time together with Eddie, Katie and Lorenzo, and we just stayed at my house playing games all together and we watched the countdown of the ball on tv like I always wanted to do. I also had some hard moments, like it always is in your life, because without the sad moments you would never appreciate the good ones.
But even in the most depressing nights, like when I missed home really bad, or life seemed harder than how it is, or I just felt depressed for some of my reasons, I always had someone to talk to, someone that wanted to listen and someone who helped me to feel better. Those people are the most precious ones, those are my best friends and my family. Those are the people that I gained during this year and that I know for sure I will never lose, it doesn't matter if we're 2 miles away or if there's an entire ocean between us. I will always be thankful to those people for just being who they are, and standing by my side, even when they don't know they are helping, they are, just with their presence or a smile or a joke that makes me laugh for a moment. Just for the fact that they are noticing that something is wrong, that I'm thoughtful and not cheerful as usual, just by asking "Are you okay?" they make my day better, because it means that they care. That they notice. Those are the people that make this experience special and unique, and they are the best gift I've ever had. They fill my days with splendid memories and they make less bitter the sad ones. They make the difference.
I don't think I will ever find a way to thank these people enough for welcoming me with open arms in their life like I've always been part of it. Opening their home and making me part of the family and filling my heart with endless love. Or opening themselves with their deepest secrets and fears and dreams and aspirations, letting me have an impact on their lives.
I am so honored to be part of something so special and it makes me cry everytime I think about it because I never ever imagined when I left my home and the people I love most in the world, that I would have found more people that love me and that I love as much as those I left in Italy.
Because letting someone into your life is not something you do easily, sometimes you get hurt, sometimes people disappoint you, sometimes they don't feel for you the same emotions you feel for them, but sometimes you find those remarkable people that will make you a better person and will make your day brighter. And when you find those kind of people, you better keep them close, don't let them go.
And I'm proud to say that I found a lot of people like this and that they will always be part of me, no matter what. They changed me already and I hope I changed their lives too...sometimes it doesn't take much for that, just a smile or some kind word, a hug or a little bit of your time. And moments after moment, they become important and almost impossible to forget.
This is what Christmas brought to me this year, the greatest present I could have ever asked for. So if you are one of those people, and you probably know it if you are, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. And may every Christmas be as amazing as this one was for me.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! And God Bless America! :)
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