Kissing the blessed ground.

When I arrived in Cagliari, the capitol of Sardinia.  I imagined. Stepping off the plane. Onto a red carpet. To the accompaniment of festive music from an Italian Street band. But it was better than that. My Italian true love. And her friend Giovanna. Were there. To greet me. And here I am now. In the quaint little city of Carbonia. A 20-minute drive from the sea. A sparkling blue sky. My gosh. What a transition. Just 24 hours ago. I was in zero degree temperature. Now I'm in the balmy 60s. In a foreign land that seems so unforeign.  Yes, my second homeland. Indeed, I belong. I will get to my knees and kiss the blessed ground today. --Jim Broede