March 2, 2021

Can we talk about golden hour in Rome?

I know, I know, I talk about it a lot. But look at these trees. Looks at that full moon! Look at the way they look like they’re dancing against the bright red golden hour sunlight. It’s all a little too much sensory overload in like-the best way.

I love all times of the year in Rome, surprised? But it does feel like the late winter sun sets a little lower, makes the trees a little brighter, highlights that full moon a little more. And now winter is ending. It’s officially March, almost exactly a year into the official first lockdown and definitely a year into this pandemic. This time last year my entire 2020 work season had just been cancelled, I was unprepared for what was going to come next and I certainly didn’t know the whole world was going to turn upside down.

This year, right now, spring is coming. We are different and changed and continuing to grow. The world will keep moving forward, the Eternal City is still my backdrop and life feels a little floatier now that there are tiny flowers on the previously barren trees.

I catch myself staring at random buildings at that just right moment of the day and I watch as orange and red light ripple down the side of them before disappearing into a perfect navy blue sky. Life is forever changed, but it always was forever changing. I’m just trying to take things slow enough to appreciate perfect moments like this one.

Golden hour reminds me that there is consistency in everything. Even in overwhelm, there is time to pause and look around. And Rome reminds me regularly- hey, pal, guess what? I’ve been here a long damn time and I’ll be here awhile longer still