Elba and its beauties

Old... and so happy

This beautiful woman sat near the Villa San Martino on Elba - the former exile of Napoleon Bonaparte (and his love nest...).

Rarely have I met a person who was so content with himself and the world, cheerful, carefree, devoted. It doesn't matter what standard beauty ideals may be - I found this woman stunningly beautiful. The sparkle in her eyes, the many laugh lines, the sun-tanned skin with the sweet freckles, her vitality and her radiance, which she gave to us from afar.

She was happy about my children, explained to them with gestures how great they were and that she wished them a beautiful life with lots of love.

I think today that was what made this woman so happy and beautiful and content. What counted in her life was family, children and grandchildren, friends, neighbors, and nice people, to whom she carelessly waved and engaged in cheerful conversations. She certainly wasn't rich in money - but she was rich in joy. And of love. In taking and in giving.