When I logged onto Facebook last Saturday the 21st, a five year old memory popped up, the recap of the first two days of travel of my Italian adventure with Dad. Viewing the pictures of that memory prompted thoughts of the ongoing current tragedy in the country as well as the knowledge that in the days to come more memories would show up on my Facebook feed, memories standing in vivid contrast to current day Italy.

Five years ago, Dad and I traveled to Italy, my first international trip with a family member and only my second overseas trip for vacation. I approached this trip overloaded with anticipation, equal parts because of the goal marathon only days away as well as seeing the tremendous monumental history of Rome, Florence, Pompeii, Venice, and so much more. That trip held so many memories deeply ingrained inside.

I have mentioned context before, my top strength according to strengthsfinder. For me, context is how I interpret the world. I anchor my memories around places and history. Thus, every place I have ever had the immense privilege to visit feels like a part of me. I identify with those places in the world on a deeper level than places I have just read about. For Italy, this means that I look at pictures of the Vatican and remember the awe that came over me as I ran through that courtyard halfway through the marathon. I remember the giddy excitement that swept over me in the Hall of Maps the next day, crowded with visitors. When I heard news of the lockdown of North Italy, my mind flies to the memories of our brief day trip up to Venice, grinning like a fool while I posed for a picture to send to Mom captioned, “I’m F.I.N.E.” This city and others in the region now find themselves far from fine with medical professionals having to make wartime decisions on who to give the rapidly diminishing supply of medical equipment.

I mentioned in my last post that for many, this crisis did not feel real until it touched them personally. I wonder if things really started to sink in and become real when I first heard of the lockdown of Northern Italy, and then shortly thereafter the entire country. I had a personal connection through my memories. When I saw this happen for Italy, then Spain, and so many others. I began to wonder about what will happen here especially since the data puts us on the same trajectory.

In the end though, we cannot live in the past, in memories, or in fear. I choose, as I stated in a quick Facebook repost of the marathon memory, to turn to God. I will turn to the One who holds the answers and trust that in due time, He will show us His plan.