Reflections

Messina is the capital of the province of Messina. It is the 13th largest city in Italy with only 250,000 population. We arrived via the Strait of Messina ,  which is opposite Villa San Giovanni on the mainland. The economy is made up of seaport industries, tourism, wine production, lemons, mandarin orange groves and of course olives . After years of watching the trilogy of the Godfather, I finally stepped on Sicilian soil. Around 11am, we entered the town of Messina. We landed on a day that was The Republic Day of Celebration with the city alive with Military bands, ceremonies and lots of locals. We made our way to  The  Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta  which is one of the  cathedrals  of the  Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela . The current building is the final result reconstructions that took place in the 20th century. This took place during an earthquake which happen in 1908. Later, damages took place during the English and. Ameri...

When you’ve cross the milestone of marching your daughter down a 175 feet aisle, it gives you pause to look at the aisle you and your bride walked down yourself. I remember that full moon evening on March 17, 1989.  I was a nervous 140-pound young man who walked out in front of family and friends onto the chancel of the Omwake Dearborn Chapel. As I watched the wedding planner open the doors into the 80-foot high gothic nave, I saw the most Omwake-Dearborn Chapel beautiful woman I had ever seen walk towards the candlelit transept. Even today, I remember my heart racing. We left that church and reception with the typical naïve expectation to what life would hold. We had only clues to what it would take to make for a good marriage. Our ride was just beginning. Now, 27 years later, I am able to look back and see the road map that we forged to what I know my wife and I would call a good marriage. First off, I will tell you that it didn’t just happen. There are ...