Yes and More: Like Having Two Lovers

Madonna del Ponte statue near my home in Gubbio, Italy, which I pass on my daily rounds by foot. The River L'Aure in Bayeux, one of my favorite nature points. And happy me, in between my two loves (literally), last November.

Once upon a time when I was the Spanish Tapas Bar Chef, I named my best small plates for my favorite Euro footballers, mostly from Italy and Spain.

My habit of loving players and clubs who were actually arch-rivals, was very strange yet intriguing to my guests who were fellow fans.

I’d say something like, I’m married to Barcelona but my lover is Real Madrid. Juventus (Torino) is my husband, but I cheat with AC Milan.

I had soooo many reasons to love more than one club! Each had its own beauty, grace, charm, essence, swoon-worthiness ...

My point was, my personal life experience loves yes-and-more as opposed to either-or. (And, mind you, in a real-life romantic relationship, I promise I am true to one lover!)

At this hour of my beautiful life, I’m spending a lot of time swooning over both Italy and France, and my cities of Gubbio and Bayeux in particular. Here in Bayeux, I can even merely mention that I live in Italy, and when I describe Gubbio, everyone swoons!!

The first week in March will find me returning to my dear love, Gubbio, after my gorgeous winter here in Bayeux. My return will mark the one-year anniversary of when Lisa and I landed in Italy to become citizens.

At the moment I’m reflecting on how much do I love you, both Gubbio and Bayeux? Please and thank you, let me count the ways.

My dear friends whom I love and am loved by like family, are in Gubbio.

My dear friends whom I love and am loved by like family, are in Bayeux.

My god-doggies are in Gubbio.

My god-doggies are in Bayeux.

Gubbio has storied history as the land of crazy people.

Bayeux has storied history of D-Day, liberation, and freedom.

Gubbio is the land of truffles, porcini mushrooms, and wild boar.

Bayeux is the land of amazing fresh seafood, crepes, and caramel.

Gubbio has the best gelato.

Bayeux has the best pain chocolat.

I adore my hair stylists in Gubbio, who were NOT happy that someone in France would be touching my hair.

I adore my hair stylists in Bayeux, who were amused by my Italian stylists' fears.

Gubbio has really good coffee and wine + very sweet bars and cafes to enjoy them.

Bayeux has really good coffee and wine + very sweet bars and cafes to enjoy them.

Gubbio has extraordinary groceries and Il Mercato on Tuesdays.

Bayeux has extraordinary groceries and Le Marche’ on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

I have precious trees of my own that I mutually love and cherish in Gubbio.

I have precious trees of my own that I mutually love and cherish in Bayeux.

Gubbio has more and better olives, pasta, pizza, and biscotti.

Bayeux has more and better dairy, chocolate, bread, cakes and pastries.

In Gubbio, people are uber-kind, and so happy to help me with my Italian.

In Bayeux, people are uber-kind, and so happy to help me with my French.

Gubbio has spectacular nature, and better hills for cardio movement!

Bayeux has spectacular nature, and better boutiques for shopping!

Gubbio is remote, more tucked away, so there are less tourists.

Bayeux is easier to get around, with trains and buses; Paris is only 2 hours away.

Gubbio has more snow in winter.

Bayeux has more bright sunshine in winter.

My heart is so happy in Gubbio.

My heart is so happy in Bayeux.

I could write forever about this ...

In an ongoing conversation with my dear friend and Life-Coach-Extraordinaire Debby, I have shared so much about all of the above.

The other night I added that, I still get caught up in quandaries about my future – the hows, what-ifs, what-thens, what-abouts, fears, worries, etc etc etc.

To my profound gratitude, here is how she responded (I hope to paraphrase well!):

This yes-and-more consciousness you’ve got here ... that will take you really, really far.

It is way bigger – way, WAY bigger - than any of that other stuff.

Just stay with it. Stay with your yes-and-more. Just stay with that.

Et voila! I think I will.