grace - unmerited favor

In this time of great sadness for our Italian friends and families - the full effects of the pandemic still
reverberating through their daily lives - this ray of sunshine comes.
With retirement at hand March 1st 2020, I spent two years carefully detailing a trip to include a month in England, a month in Ireland and three months in Florence. I prepaid everything The QE2 New York to Southampton, AIRB&B accommodations in all three countries, vehicle rentals, atelier tuitions and numerous tours. COVID - in an instant - all lost.
I decided too much work had gone into putting this trip together - so - I decided not to cancel - but to postpone everything for one year. March 1st 2021 - the dismal task at hand - I cancelled all of it.
I donated the tuition monies for the two Ateliers in Florence that had accepted my applications, to the models , waitresses and shop owners in the neighborhood.
What unmerited favor befell me ? In this time of certain difficulty for the European travel community - my cancellation requests were met with warmth and understanding. 95% of the monies paid were returned - only the 5% in fees retained.
The art, the music, the laughter, the wine, the love of life - all remains. I will return.