Right Before My Eyes
Walking through the Palazzo Ducale di Colorno garden and watching it grow has become a daily ritual for me following the hungry hurricane that can be considered lunchtime at ALMA. I often ponder the many similarities between my wonderful classmates and the garden, taking pride in knowing that together, we are changing and growing alongside it.
After its’ snow-fallen and barren winter, the garden has begun to show signs of life. The arches that border the garden are sprouting with lushness, while the water from the stone fountains bursts with vitality. Both the young and old of Colorno are happy to frolic amongst the foliage again, as the days grow warmer, and increasingly humid. With time passing I find myself delving further into the garden, where I try to discover things that are often not seen from afar. Towards its deepest parts, wild flowers of purple and yellow are scattered throughout the grass, fallen chestnuts lay sleepily, and sour cherries secretly hide close to the pond. I think about how each one of us are our own “Palazzo Ducale di Colorno garden,” in that, we all have things we can discover about one another the closer we look.
After tasting and studying for nearly thirty classes (and counting), traveling to three regional and one international stage, and spending many picnics, strolls, bike rides, and last-minute adventures in between, we have blossomed into a lively, gastronomic bunch. We have shared stories from back home, and have shared unforgettable experiences together that will be stories to tell when it is time to go back home. As fast as the garden seemed to flourish right before my eyes, it feels the same has happened for the time that has passed thus far with my classmates.
I can only continue to look forward to how we all grow together, as individuals and as a group, the stories we continue to create here, and what the rest of this year will bring.