Addendum

 After five nights at the farmhouse it was time to go home.  My visit to this remarkable place was all I could have hoped for, and more.

 

I knew saying goodbye would not be easy.  But Maria knows I will return as often as possible.  Gianni came to transport us to the train station.  He was right on time, as always.

 

We took pictures, we hugged, we cried.  

 

As I was about to get in Gianni’s taxi, Donatella ran to me and handed me the red rose from the garden.

 

The train took us to Florence and we checked into our hotel for the final night.  I went for another walk in the city.  At the famed Piazza Della Signoria, a waiter invited me to sit in his sidewalk café. As he welcomed me to a small table, I remembered sitting at that same café with Joyce. 

 

It was mid-afternoon and they were not busy.  The waiter was very friendly and asked if this was my first time in Florence.

 

“No,” I said.  “This is actually my 8^th visit, but the first without my wife.”

 

He gently inquired about her.

I told him the story of La Torraccia di Chiusi and our visits there.  About Joyce's illness and her death. 

 

“And it called you to come back,” he said.  

 

“Yes, it did."  

And with genuine sincerity he added,  “Thank you for sharing your story. I know you miss your wife, but I am sure she is still with you.”

 

I thought about the rose that was carefully packed in my suitcase and said, “Yes, she is.  She will always be with me.”