As Alex and I tour the wondrous city of Rome and the many layers that exist below ground I have come to fully comprehend the complexity and truth of the phrase "Rome was not built in a day." It made me realize that Rome is quite similar to my family, an ever evolving and strengthening phenomenon.
Back in the day Rome was home to dictators, fascists, gladiators, popes, saints, artists... the list goes on. Each had their own hand in the creation of this complex landscape, and despite the various backgrounds and flavors of each individual, the city came together through it all. Just as my family has come together despite the odds.
I would like to think that just as a tree has story-holding rings, we too have a mark of our lineage that tells our story and of our longevity, as Rome exhibits through the layers of buildings and churches built upon buildings and churches. It's an ever complex and textured state, and without, life might be rather boring. So in the moment, I would like to honor my family for it's strength, dignity, grace and fortitude and one day, with any hope, it too shall become a historic entity to be honored and preserved.
