I cross myself as the Eucharistic celebration ends; only then can I sigh, wishing for the day to finally be over.
People begin to leave the church while my father and Aunt Marcella approach the priest, perhaps to invite him to the welcome party I didn't know I was having today; had I known, I would have escaped from here.
I begin to walk down one of the side aisles, contemplating the place; it’s been years since I last came to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Lourdes. I observe the stained-glass windows that seek to tell, without words, the Lord’s journey on earth. The atmosphere in this place, whether full or empty, is strange: very still, peaceful, and I would even dare to say, relaxing. The prevailing scent is that of gardenias and jasmine, along with incense.
"Where on earth is Aless
