Flavio

Mum’s cousin Flavio decided to take me for a grand tour of his hometown, Udine. there was so much history there, and the buildings were pretty magnificent. at his house, we ate possibly the most delicious dish of pasta I have ever tasted (homemade with pesto), before visiting Cividale, a town as old as ancient Rome. there is something surreal about walking where others have lived and loved for thousands of years. the alleys and stones and rooftops and churches - everything there had character and convinced me further that Italy is perhaps my favourite country on the planet.

I wasn’t anticipating to find myself dwelling on anything important during my day with Flavio, but in the car I found my mind overwhelmed by where our conversation went. we spoke of what matters in life. he told me he believed the self cannot simply exist without relating to others around it. he also said something that I have been mulling over for a good 24 hours now. we were talking about love as not simply a feeling, but a verb (doing word). he told me that if it is not unconditional, it is not love.

it made me think of my relationships with my loved ones, and the fact that authentic love is not romantic but a judgement: assessing a situation, recognising someone you care for is lacking and striving to be present with them, and assist however and wherever you can. all the while, if you love this person, you do so regardless of how they respond or behave, as love is unconditional. I will be thinking about this for a long time << x