This is Girl Person. Don’t worry, I won’t take over the blog on a regular basis. But since it’s the weekend, I hope you’ll allow me some words today.

Yesterday was a physically hard day. Here in the Portofino area, it’s summertime. And that means a lot of extra tourists, traffic and chaos. I think it has taken me a week and a half to just get used to the chaos. Sometimes I laugh. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I marvel at how it’s craziness. But how everything seems to work.

For me, it’s been a crazy journey to get here. A journey filled with many behind the scenes disappointments, doubts and feeling like I was ridiculous in what I wanted. We put off the journey here many times due to Brickle’s health. And I’ll never, ever regret that for a second. But the most stressful part to me was getting him here safely. And what a sigh of relief when we did. He amazes me each and every day with his resolve and resilience.

But putting all of the doubts and disappointments aside yesterday when we got to our house to work for the day was eye opening. I felt alive for the first time in probably twenty years. I didn’t plan on the veil being lifted, but it did. And it lifted like a sheet of lasagna with the smell of wild oregano.

I was worried yesterday about the climb up to the house. We are still working on a way to get Brickle up more comfortably than a harness. But he actually did so much better than I did. I fell off the path twice. In the same spot on the way and the way back. I didn’t get upset though. I hurt. But not as bad as how I’ve been hurting the last many years.

When I started pulling weeds in the front area of the house, I felt a surge of happiness come over me. Yes. The thorns hurt. The weeds were sticky. But under those weeds and thorns was an old patio. And as I dug more, Brickle meandered over to a spot by the stone wall. And be looked at the house. He looked at me. And he claimed his spot.

We worked hard all day. And yet, I didn’t get mentally exhausted. I didn’t give up. I had a purpose. A goal. A plan to make this the best house ever for my dogs.

When we went to leave for the day and make the trek back down the hill, Brickle didn’t want to leave. He knew this was his house. And I honestly couldn’t believe it. I didn’t expect this so soon. And yet, he knows. I’m alive. I’m alive. I tell you, I’m alive. I’m back.

We have a lot of obstacles in front of us. I have things to catch up with in my life personally, professionally and to get back on track. I’ve been lost for a long time. Barely able to keep my head above water. And yet, now, I’m here. I found me.

I’m not telling everyone to move to Italy. Or to buy a house forgotten for decades. But if there’s something you want for yourself, please don’t get as low as I did. Please learn from me. And please, thank the ones who have kept you here on this earth who didn’t give up on you. I’m thanking you.

As we build back our lives, we build with the tiles you are purchasing for you, your pets, your favorite animal rescue, anyone. We need you all with us. And you can get your tiles here!

–Girl Person