I had decided to visit good friends of mine in Long Island, New York over the weekend.  Something magical happened to me, and I want to share it with you.  If I could inject music into this letter, I would pick two songs, "Un Altre Te", by Eros Ramazotti, Also, I would chose a song by Neil Diamond called, "If You Go Away." The words are beautiful, as he sang, "If you go away on this summer day, then you might as well take the sun away..but if you stay, I will make you a day like no day has been."   I think this song goes back to the early 70's. Ahh, I remember the picture on the album cover. It is Neil sitting down on that bench without any shoes on!

As I opened my closet door, I decided to wear my comfortable and stylish platform shoes, halter top, trendy jeans, and, of course, my Armani Code perfume. Wait, what did I forget? My cappucino frost-colored lipstick! I was excited about going to Port Jefferson New York to have dinner with friends.

Twice a week, I stop in at the Padre Pio Chapel, in Bridgeport, CT. Anonymous, I am not sure if you believe in miracles, or if you think that this story is foolish. Since I am an Italian-American, I continue to carry on the tradition of prayer. I am not a person who goes to church every Sunday, but for a few minutes, a couple of times a week, I love to go to visit the Padre Pio Statue.  The Padre Pio Chapel  is a small chapel right behind St. Margaret's Shrine, in Bridgeport.  I did not have to be on the ferry boat in Bridgeport, Ct until 3:30pm, so I had a few minutes to spend at the Padre Pio Chapel.

I brought two silk roses to the Padre Pio statue. One rose was light pink, and the other was dark pink. The roses look real because there are clear glue drops on the petals, which look like real water drops. I had taken the two silk roses out of the den at my house as I was walking out the front door.  My light blue ribbon around the bottom of the two roses has my name written on it.  The roses are to honor Padre Pio. I did not have my own vase, so I put the roses into another vase that already had yellow silk roses in it. My two roses are sticking right out of the middle of the yellow silk rose bouquet. My ribbon sticks out of the top of the vase, with "Joanna Leone" written across it.

As  I had looked at the small pieces of paper that other people had pinned on a piece of cloth which was on the Padre Pio statue, I had noticed many different intentions.  I had wondered, "wow, look at all of the intentions and prayers."  Some people asked Padre Pio for their relative to be healed, another asked Padre Pio for a family member to be able to walk again, while another woman asked Padre Pio to send her a husband. After seeing how many people prayed for family members who were ill, I realized that my own intentions seemed insignificant, as I know that my own intentions are not as serious as the others.  I quietly placed my two roses in an existing vase, right next to the Padre Pio statue. 

Anonymous, if you have time to stop in at the Padre Pio chapel for a few minutes, you will see my two silk roses with the light blue bow.

I had to leave the beautiful chapel as I did not want to miss the ferry boat from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson.  Anonymous, I really wish you could have seen how beautiful the sky looked that day, and "il bello vento," which means beautiful breeze.  I had parked my car in a parking garage, and walked a few blocks to the ferry boat with my platform sandals, my sunglasses on top of my head, and of course, I dropped my straw bag a couple of times.

Anonymous, I wondered if you had walked passed me, would have smiled and thought that I looked sexy today? Well, I am not sure as my long hair was blowing all over the place. Then, I wondered, " dove è andato oggi?", or "where did he go today?" I am not obsessing over you, as I continue to go about my business, but I can not help being curious once in a while.

As usual, I talked to so many strangers. This is part of my personality. I love talking to people on tour buses in Italy, in the airport, trains, parks, beaches or boats.  I hope that people do not think I am nuts.

Anonymous, maybe you do not like this characteristic, but it is part of who I am.  I chatted with a man who was going to visit his two children in Port Jefferson, and another woman who was going to a birthday party. As I drank my Diet Rite cola, and enjoyed a  tuna sandwich, I began to feel excited as I saw Port Jefferson getting closer.  My friends and I were looking forward to roaming around Port Jefferson, poking around the little shops, and having a nice long dinner.  As I walked off the boat, and looked around for my friends' cars, my cell phone rang. My friends called to tell me that they would be late. They apologized for running late, but said that they would be arriving in an hour. One friend thought she knew how to get to Port Jefferson from Rockville Center, while the other friend was running behind because she was at her daughter's soccer game. "It is not a problem, I will roam around on my own." To be honest, sometimes I like walking around alone and having a little bit of time on my own before friends arrive. 

"Okay, we will see you in an hour."  My mind drifted to the scent of baked clams, calamari, and burgers. Port Jefferson, Ny is a colorful, inviting, warm and animated place. Ahhh, and I had one hour to myself before my friends would arrive. Well, this is why I usually get into trouble sometimes as I wander around, while striking up conversations with strangers.

I stopped in at the candy store in Port Jefferson. My eyes were glued on the orange creamsicle flavored fudge, the chunks of pistachio, and raspberry flavored home-made fudge.  No, no, I have to avoid those fattening foods, so I decided to buy a vanilla custard, non fat ice cream cone. I know, I am boring. Anonymous, maybe the healthy eating would really bother you. Then, as usual, I began to crave an ice coffee.

On my way to grab an ice coffee, I walked past a candle, incense, and crystal store. They sold healing candles and all types of cool things. I think a healing candle may help me at this point, but I decided to save money for dinner instead. The psychic was not there, as it was her day off. I think that was a sign that I am not supposed to have someone tell me my future. I just have to experience life on my own and see how it all unravels. I walked over to the bakery with the wind at my back, and as I entered this beautiful bakery, I decided to get an iced latte. I think I needed the shot of espresso! A man stood next to me and said, "go ahead, have a sfogliadella or some pignoli cookies."  I really wanted to, but, no no....I do not want to have to add elastic bands to my jeans after this trip.  Here we go again, strangers who strike up conversations with me about food. I still had plenty of time, so I decided to sit on a wooden bench, right outside of the bakery.  There was a band playing across the street. The band played inspirational music. I am not sure of the name of the band, but it sounded very relaxing and soothing. Anonymous, I wonder if you would have enjoyed sitting there with me. Maybe you are not the kind of man that likes day trips in the summer time, and maybe my addiction to ice coffee and ice latte would bother you. I am sure that my habit of talking to strangers might make you think that I am nuts. 

Suddenly, I heard a voice. Anonymous, I was hoping, by some miracle, that it would have been you.  It was a stranger.  He was tall, with salt and pepper hair, broad shoulders, and wearing jeans and a black, stylish, button down shirt. The man was carrying a card and flowers, which were neatly wrapped in tissue paper. He said, "I hope that someone as beautiful as you is not sitting alone."  I started to think, "oh, here we go with the lines. Another player laying it on thick..." I answered, "well, yes and no. I am temporarily alone, but will be meeting friends in about an hour or so. They are driving in, and are running behind schedule."  The stranger said, "Do you mind if I sit here?"  I said, "sure". I moved my latte and straw bag to make room for him.  He said, "my name is Tom." Then, I said, "my name is Joanna." He then added, "do you live in Long Island?" I said, "no, I am from Connecticut."  Tom said, "I am from Manhattan". Tom explained that he was in Port Jefferson waiting to meet his ex-girlfriend. Tom mentioned that he is trying to get back together with her. Now, why couldn't I just mind my own business? Maybe this is the reason I have so many stories to tell people. I just can't mind my own business! I started to think to myself, "oh no, another lonely heart. Maybe I should have stayed in the fudge shop today instead". He seemed like a friendly and open guy. He said that he is going to try to rekindle the relationship this weekend. Now, my Italian-American heart was curious. I kept watching the time on my cell phone. I still had a little while, so I had the time to be curious. Tom continued to say that by the end of the weekend, his ex girlfriend will decide if they will get back together.  Ahhh, that is what the card and the flowers are all about. Then, I started to think, what is happening to romance?...she is going to decide in one weekend if she wants him back?. What is that all about? I do not know her, but I sense she wears the pants in this situation. I told Tom that I hope that everything turns out okay. I think Tom was just trying to strike up a conversation since he was a bit early to meet his ex girlfriend. He asked me if I had a boyfriend or a husband.  I pointed to my hand and said, "no, there is not band of gold on this hand, and I do not have a boyfriend." Tom looked at me and said, "you seem so friendly, pretty, and outgoing. That is a shame. I am sure you will meet someone someday." Oh, there it was written in permanent, black ink. It is the usual way conversations go when I talk to people. "someday you will meet someone..." I have a good life, so I can keep living it. If it is meant to be it will be.  Tom then told me, as he placed his sunglasses on top of his head,"I just do not know if I am wasting time trying to rekindle my relationship with her.  We just do not get a  long and she is very domineering. I am going to try to make it work."

Anonymous, here I am writing Italian-American Love Letters, stories about growing up Italian, my travels to Italy and poems about Italy. Then, I have this poor guy, who is a total stranger, pouring his heart out to me. All because my friends are running late, and I always end up talking to strangers. Suddenly, Tom took out a piece of paper, and started to unfold it. "She gave me this list of things that I must do for her in order for her to take me back. She thinks that I have to do all of the things on the list in order to be happy." 

I started to think, "A list??? Is he kidding me? This distinguished, attractive looking guy in his late 50's, with a bit of crows feet around his eyes actually trying to show me a list that she had given to him?  In my Italian house, the only time we used a list was to write the words, uovo(eggs), latte(milk), Reggiano, and Parma Prosciutto. It is a grocery list, not a list for love!.  This was so strange. I believe in love letters, but who ever heard of love lists?

Anonymous, I wonder, do you think that love is a list?  Maybe you do not believe in romance, and you already have a list of things that a woman must do before she can be with you. Could it be that I do not fit the things on your list?  Or do you follow your heart? Maybe that is it. I do not match your list.

I was silent as I looked at the time on my cell phone again. There are still a few minutes left. The reality is that Tom is a stranger, I do not know who his ex girlfriend is, or what the situation is. Once again, I asked myself, "why do I talk to strangers?!!" Maybe I talk to strangers too much, or maybe I have Doctor Amore (love) written on my forehead.

I told Tom to put away the list. I had a gut instinct that I probably would not have liked the list that this woman had written. I am just not a list person unless I am going grocery shopping. Even then, I still do not stick to the list because I end up buying additional items that I should not buy!

As I told Tom to put away the list, I asked him if her list mentions that she loves him. He said, "no, there is nothing about love on the list." I rolled my eyes. I started to think that this guy needs to take a Perrillo Tour of Italy or a Club Med trip or something, just to escape that crazy list his ex-girlfriend had given to him. Tom said, "I do not know what to say to her."  This was so sad! I looked at Tom and told him that I could only give him advice, and give him the words that I would want to hear if I was in her shoes. If a man was pursuing me, I would long to hear certain words. He stared at me like a  "deer in the headlight , travelling down a dark Vermont road". Now I am thinking, "I have to be Cyrano de Bergerac", that guy who hid in the bushes and fed words to the other guy who was pursuing a woman under her window.

I said to Tom that all he needed to do was to try saying this to her:

"I love you, and our love with strengthen each day as we work out our differences, and compromise. Everything is more colorful with you in my world. We might argue sometimes, but I want to protect you, guide you and discover new things about you each day. Things won't be perfect, but we have to be patient."

This poor guy said, "wait, let me get a pen, This is great, let me write  this down. Are you a writer or something?" I laughed and told him that I only write as a hobby, and I doubt that I will ever be famous. I never had the goal of being famous. It is just fun for me.  The truth is that I am an Italian-American romantic, who has a passion for Italian food, travels to Italy, Italian music and Italian festivals. I am certainly not Dottoressa Amore.  He could even use the lyrics to the Eros Ramazzotti song, "Un Altra Te"and say, "where can I find another you?"Plus, my heart and stomach need a few bottles of Brioschi by now, as I understand the subject of love and romance. If you do not know what Brioschi is, the best way I can describe it is by saying that it is just like tiny pieces of alka selzer, chopped into small white pieces, with a hint of a lemon taste. Those crunchy drops create an emormous foam and fizz in a glass of water. I really wanted some at that moment!  My Italian family drinks it, especially after you have eaten too much, or have an upset stomach. Especially when it comes to the topic of dating, a bottle of Brioschi is a must!

I had always thought that a man in his mid to late 50's would be "well marinated with the seasonings of life." Ahhh,  I would never refer to a man as being "older", but I would say, "well marinated", or "well travelled on life's roads". Also, I was thinking that Tom should be the "Padrone di Carne", meaning, "The King of Meats", or my way of saying, "All knowing", or a man who knows what is happening out there. Here I was, unable to answer my own questions about you, Anonymous, yet this stranger needed my help!

Tom said that he was worried that things would not turn out well by  the end of the weekend, and was really willing to try anything. As he started to leave, Tom said,"I thought about the things on her list, but my ex girlfriend does not mention anything about love, guidance, or any of the things that you have said." I said to Tom, "Well then, this weekend, you should decide if she is the one who is right for you.  You keep mentioning the list, and how she wants to decide if you are right for her. Maybe it is not about her anymore. It is about you and what you want."  He smiled as he got up to leave.

Anonymous, would you know the words that I would want to hear? Would you ask a friend to write the words for you, or would you find the right words in your heart? A simple "I love you" will be just fine.

I had 3 minutes to walk back to the information booth by the boat. I guess you could say that I had accomplished alot in one hour. My friends will be meeting me at the information booth by the ferry boat for that great calamari and baked clam dinner. As Tom had left, I noticed that he left the flowers on the bench. I yelled out to Tom and said, "Wait, you forgot your flowers!" This poor guy needed every sword and coat of armor as possible to win his ex girflfriend's heart. A man without his flowers is like a Knight without his horse! He can't forget the flowers!

Tom looked away and said, "No, I decided to give the flowers to you instead. You are so friendly and sweet.  You are a perfect stranger who listened and gave me great advice, all in one hour. You gave me a special gift today."

As I unravelled the cone shape paper that was wrapped around the flowers, I had noticed that  there were three, fresh roses. Imagine, I gave someone a special gift today? The three, fresh roses were almost identical to the two silk roses that I had left at the Padre Pio statue earlier that afternoon. The only difference is that there were a couple of real water droplets on them, instead of the clear glue that was on the silk flowers. They were dark pink and light pink! I stared at the flowers in amazement, and suddenly my heart felt warm. Tom yelled at a distance, "Good luck and enjoy your friends tonight." He seemed to walk away quickly, yet confidently. Maybe this poor guy just could not figure out what to do, and suddenly, I gave him hope. Maybe this guy was so lost that he was willing to open up to anyone who would listen. It is a possibility that I am  lost, but my experience on the beautiful, August day in Port Jefferson was a gift to me. It helped me to realize what I wanted in life, and what I wanted to avoid in life. 

Anonymous, do you think I taught the stranger a valuable lesson today? Could it be that Tom was a guardian angel to me?Maybe I am the one who is lost, and needed to be able to help someone else in order to feel uplifted. A stranger found me to be special that day.  I hope you stop in at the Padre Pio chapel soon, my silk roses really are there, next to the statue! Maybe you will write your own intentions and prayers and pin it on the statue. I do not wear religious medallions, or attend church every Sunday, but I do believe in the power of prayer, and I love praying to the various Saints.

As I sat in the restaurant with my girlfriends, my night was a collage of different events and conversations. We got caught up on the gossip, the updates about divorces, vacations, or who was getting back together. There were talks about how their kids were doing in soccer camp, and who was going through a career transition. We even talked about our college days and the things that we did together. "Remember our trips to Newport?" or "how about the time that you did...."As for me, my story was about the stranger, Tom, and my experience that day. One friend told me to be careful talking to strangers as  he might have been some nut. Another friend said that she thought he was an angel who helped me realized that I am special, even though you are not in my life, Mr. Anonymous. Another friend looked at me and said, "Only you Joanne, only you. Out of all of us, you are the one who has the best stories and experiences."

Most of all, as we passed the plates of calamari, and clams, I realized that men may want to come into our lives, but they do not know the words, or the music that goes along with a woman's heart. Men may spend time struggling with their decisions.  Could it be that men are afraid of the lists that women may have for them, or the types of demands that they would have?  Anonymous, if you become part of my life, I believe that you will find the right words in your heart, or you will know which lyrics I would want to hear.  It would be as simple as the words, "I love you.." or maybe you could find the words to "Un Altra Te" from Eros.  Could Padre Pio have been behind all of this, or was my experience pure coincidence? just a "chance" meeting?

The rest of the night was spent walking around Port Jefferson, laughing, talking about the new hair color and hair styles in the upcoming fall season. Anonymous, I did not focus on you all night. I have my own life, and a healthy, well rounded life! The usual question came up, "When are you going to Italy Joanna?" I told them it would be in a few months, maybe in the late fall, or winter. I plan to take a trip, but I am not sure when. Anonymous, how I wish you could come, too. Then again, maybe you would not want to travel there.

Hmmm...I wonder how things worked out for Tom. I will never see him again, but somehow, I had hoped that I really did make a difference for him. I never told him about my website, and never exchanged numbers with him. Who knows, maybe he will somehow see this website and will send me an email or message through the site to let me know how things turned out for him.

Anonymous, after I returned to Connecticut, as I walked a few blocks back to my car late that night in downtown Bridgeport, I realized how lucky I am to have such great friends and to have such wonderful experiences. I felt confident walking by myself in downtown Bridgeport. Somehow I felt more confident, and my spirits were lifted. The lonely part of the night was crawling into my bed as I heard the crickets chirping under my window.

I thought to myself, "I wonder what Anonymous did tonight?" My heart hopes that Anonymous would have been spending a quiet eveing at home,  a concert,  barbecue,baseball game, or spending time with a few good friends. I hope that whatever Anonymous was doing, that he truly was having a fantastic time!

Suddenly my heart sank, as I thought,  of you  being with another woman, or drinking too many bottles of Bira Peroni . I started to envision a dimly lit room, with beer bottles, maybe some cigars, and a lot of women around you. Or, are you a smooth talker, flirting with the women until all hours of the night? I hope not.  It would not make me jealous, but it would make me feel sad.

Wherever you were tonight, I hope you were having fun. My heart could not take the thought of you with another woman. I tossed and turned for a few minutes before falling asleep. Anonymous, I want you to know that I hope you had a magical day, too, no matter where you may have been on that hot, humid summer day.