A Trailblazer Searching for Happy Trails

These are the trails I like to blaze.

Cambridge Dictionary defines a trailblazer as "the first person to do something or go somewhere who shows that it is also possible for other people."  I'm not the first person to experience life in a country devastated by the coronavirus. The people in Wuhan hold that unenviable title.  But as an expat in Italy, I have found myself in an unusual trailblazing situation.

When I started sending updates to American onlookers, I considered them anecdotes on La Nuova Bella Vita in Italia. Friends answered with disbelief, compassion and encouragement. Unfortunately,  the coronavirus has made its way to the States, and those anecdotes have become instructions. Now when American friends write to me I can't answer with disbelief, but only with empathy and encouragement.     

Living with the coronavirus for nearly a month most Italians (and this American) have locked down and calmed down. We're learning  to digest the truth, live with the reality and cope (or hope). The only thing to do is wear gloves and masks, send funny videos and wait.

The difference in an expat's life, is that we live in two worlds.  In the beginning I only worried about my elderly neighbors on the island, people that still have to go to work and European friends following in Italy's footsteps. But when the virus hit the US, my emotions started working overtime.

My morning messages remind me that I still live in Italy. I get important updates on new lockdown rules, check in on friends and plan the day's activities (just for laughs). Then there's a little downtime.  Around 1pm my phone starts buzzing with activity from America. Early-rising friends, late-rising friends, and friends in 4 time zones (fortunately I don't know anyone in Hawaii or Alaska) keep me busy for the next several hours.

My American friends are much more informed on Italy's situation than I am. One attached an article and knew enough to write "A heartwarming story" in the subject line or his efforts would have gone unread. When I told my neighbors about the 101-year old man that survived the coronavirus and was released from the hospital it was news to them.  Knowing that I avoid all media they asked how I'd heard the story and I proudly answered, "It came from America."

The unnamed man lives Rimini, Italy. He was born during the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919. That's what I call a real trailblazer. He's the first person to do something who shows that it is also possible for other people. Thanks for giving us hope, Signor Unnamed Man. Happy trails to you.