Once in a blue moon or in this case once in a a blue sky, someone gives you a generous gift of place that tingles every sense and you wonder if you have arms, ears and eyes big enough to take it all in. Steve gave me this gift for our 23rd wedding anniversary... he took me 23 miles off the Lazio coast to the island of Ponza, a volcanic crag in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
We took the train to Anzio and then a ferry to this harbor so quaint and colorful that my eyes watered, and I had to blame it on the bright sun. Never mind that I normally get sea sick, THIS TIME my stomach was doing flips of joy.....
I was in the throws of missing Italy and this wonderful 20 mile island was a great parting gift.
I couldn't help but marvel that it was possible to love a spouse more over time than on your wedding day when you think you have reached the summit of love. 
We climbed a hill above the harbor to the cemetery, the best view on the island, and it looked like we stepped into Greece with the white washed buildings and sapphire sea and cloudless sky.
Truly this is where they got the phrase "died and went to heaven."
The cute lighthouse was built by the Bourbons in the 19th century when they colonized the island.
Looking around at the simplicity, Steve commented that we only need a space this big and the immense sunny sky to truly be happy....
He's probably right.... the view, flowers and a supple Fendi handbag..... (I am still a far cry from only needing 100 things)
There is a Dolce and Gabbana commercial on Italian TV that shows this couple making out in a boat in this cove below, it's no wonder, mother nature set the perfect romantic scene.
Steve eventually coaxed me up and out and we had a great lunch perched up on a mountaintop. We finished up the afternoon with a winding ride around the steep island, with a belvedere around every bend where the boats looked like tiny toys below.
The end of the day came too fast and we had to head back. I hate the end of things--- and I think that is why I hate to throw things away, or say goodbye or eat the last bite...because I want to savor and hold onto the moment....
Said arreverderci we did, but this memory, like love, is only one summit of others to follow...... 
3 comments:
Way to go water boy wonder! Envious of your anniversary trip, wow its soooo beautiful!! And we totally understand and definitely agree with you about living on the water. The sunsets, the beach, the smell, the majesty. Love you guys.
What a wonderful anniversary gift!!!
23rd???....are you kidding me? It seems like half of that, that I was wearing that hip pink (mauve, whatever color it was)cumberbun and bow tie at the reception with the jumbo lattice and punch fountain. Congrats to the both of you. Hey Steve, remember what my dad said to you before the wedding? The warning still stands.
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