We Are Gone Fishing: Valuable Time

I met a new friend a few months ago in a very unlikely place. There is a store that sells a little bit of everything right around the corner from our apartment. I went there in search of some yarn for knitting. While talking to my friends in English, a lady walked up to us and started speaking to us in perfect English. I was astonished. I had been here for almost a year and a half and had never had this happen. She invited us over for dessert that afternoon and we politely agreed. I had no idea at the time that this would become such a sweet, cherished friendship.

Throughout the past couple of months I have called and visited Luciana several times. If she doesn't hear from me for a few days, she usually calls me. She likes to make sure that I'm feeding Jason appropriately. :D While I was at her house last week, she began to tell me about her neighbor that lives above her. She's a 90 year old woman with the closest family member (her son) living all the way in Milan. She said that her neighbor's son is a busy man and she only hears from her son every few months and he tries to visit once a year.

She then proceeded to thank me for the "valuable time" that I take out of my "busy schedule" to come visit her or to call her. Just coming to see her for a few hours once a week was so small a sacrifice for me, and such a incredible blessing to her. I've often talked myself out of going to her house for fear of being a "bother" to her. So, I wonder now...how many blessings have been cast aside because I allowed my fear to control my actions?

Last week, I went to see Luciana two times. She's been wanting to meet Jason, so I took him to her house with me and tried to teach her to make a cheesecake. We had lunch with her and her youngest brother (who they joke is the only one still under 70).

While were there at her house for lunch, I realized something. I knew I liked her from the beginning, but I couldn't figure out why. But now I know.....it's because she reminds me so much of my Granny. Not in appearance, but just in her personality. I know it's been way too long, but here's Luciana: