Seriously.

I don’t know where I’d be without them.

I don’t want to know.

In recent months I’ve really been pulled by the tidal wave of pessimism that has washed over Italy, becoming someone I don’t recognize. Fortunately I’ve turned things around by focusing on my blessings, which are largely related to the amazing women in my life.

Regular readers already know how much I love and appreciate my two boys. But I never talk about the strong, inspiring women in my life, of which two stand out: my mother-in-law and my daytime-job boss.

I won the lottery with both of them. In Italy, believe me, that’s saying even more than it does in North America. Coincidentally (or not) they both have Eastern European blood like I do.