The Colosseum, the Pantheon, and St. Peter's Basilica are monumental works taking a colossal effort to build with relics, walls, and history that have been telling their stories for centuries. Like many more of Rome's historic monuments and other historic places around the world, the remains tell the story of what the people or leaders valued at the time. I just returned from a two week trip to Italy where I spent days walking through amazing architectural and artistic works of the ages. I marveled at the grandeur and detail. I am in awe of the sheer size of these buildings and incredible talent of those that created them.I also spent the day in the home of a beautiful Italian family. They prepared nurturing and wonderful food for all of us. We walked through their herb and fruit garden sharing the qualities of herbs and the joy of a garden. The wife spoke Spanish and I spoke a little Spanish, both of our husbands spoke Italian and in a raw and enthusiastic fashion we all communicated. We shared about our children, our dreams for them, our aging parents and those that have passed on. We shared about our beliefs in God and values.
The power of Italy and of any nation is not in its tourist attractions, its ancient history or the art left from the centuries. It is in its homes. The homes of the people are the power of the country. I felt that truth strongly as we spent time together. I saw a strong mother and father, who cared deeply about their children, sacrificed and prayed for them, taught them and loved them. The power of this simple pattern carried through the millennia bore witness deeply in my soul. You want to make a difference in your community, your nation? Focus on your children first. The greatest work is not in stone, but in the fleshy hearts of those under the roof of your home. The greatest structure in Rome is the Home.
