As much as I have preached about staying positive and trust in timing I never fully understood it until last year. After my trip to Italy last year, I was on cloud 9, high on life and so completely happy, I had just experienced one of the most challenging things in my life.

My solo trip to Italy proved that I could do just about anything by myself, I was in a foreign country with only myself to rely on, millions of miles away from home. Yes, I had researched and I was as prepared as I could be, but I still had a fear that I would fail.

In the end, I had conquered my fear! I knew somewhere my mother was smiling down at me and proud of her daughter and of the woman, I have become.

I just knew my Mom was with me as my little brother dropped me off at the airport, I was a ball of nerves and second guessing myself….could I really make this trip alone?

I just knew my Mom was with me as I spent the night in Istanbul, Turkey, my first time ever being overseas!

I just knew my Mom was with me as I arrived in Venice that first day and watched me as I nearly cried when I missed my train for Florence but something inside me told me to be strong and keep it together, another train was set to leave within the next hour thankfully.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I got lost in Florence that same day trying to find my hotel, but a guiding spirit in me keep me cool and collected and I eventually found my hotel.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I traveled the country side via a bus ride and got to see the beauty of the Tuscany region.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I walked the streets and learned of the history of Sienna.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I climbed the 296 steps at the leaning tower of Pisa!

I just knew my Mom was with me as I had to step out of my comfort zone and make new friends while on one of my tours. I had two new friends to have dinner with on my second night in Florence, she made sure I was not completely alone.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I arrived in Rome and stumbled into the nearest Basilica and lit a candle and said a prayer for her. I knew she was there as I sat down in the pew and cried to myself. I cried thinking of how lucky I am to be in such a beautiful country full of so much history, architecture, and awesome food and wine.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I walked through what was left of the once glorious Colosseum.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I tossed a coin into the Trevi Foundation, wishing for love to come my way.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I made friends with an American couple who I had met on one of my tours and as I had dinner with them I discovered that the wife was a CPA who encouraged me to keep striving for my dream of becoming a CPA.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I visited the Vatican and walked the magnificent hallway and buildings.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I sat through mass at St. Peters Basilica and walked up with me as I took communion.

I just knew my Mom was with me as I cried on the train traveling to Venice on Thanksgiving thinking that holidays will never be the same for me.

I just knew my Mom was me as I walked through the streets and canals of Venice getting lost but somehow always finding my way.

I don’t believe she ever left my side, she was there every step of the way helping me and reminding me that I am strong, I am brave and more importantly I am independent. I believe by the time I came back she knew I was finally strong enough to let myself be happy again. All that I had endured the three years prior was finally behind me. Everything finally came together as if they were puzzle pieces. I had found my courage, I had found my strength,I had found my confidence, I found myself in Italy. The beauty of the country and the experience made me believe that I could conquer anything!

So trust the timing, trust the experiences whether they are good or bad, because in the end they lead to great moments of realizing that you had it in you the whole time. YOu had the tools to pick Yourself up, dust yourself off and make yourself happy again.

Think positive always even when the situation is negative, always walk to the light even when darkness surrounds you and always be grateful and express it every day.