A Good Friend: Phyllis Macchioni... Great Writer, Great Fighter

Phillis is a good friend of mine, even though we never met in person.

You see, Phyllis is one of those great people that you make a bond with online by reading her words--Phyllis is a writer and blogger and lover of life. She writes with passion about taking up a new life in Italy and how she's adjusted to This Italian Life, as she calls it in her book of the same name. It's a great read. We learn what it was like for her when she first traveled to Italy, when she was an "illegal" for a short period and how she came to make Italy her home. She tells of the frustrations, the pleasures, the hardships and the wonderful people she met during her evolution into becoming one with Italy.

After a long career as a freelance writer in the U.S. (Washington Post, Women's Wear Daily, Conde Nast, Chicago Tribune, etc.), she penned her own life's experiences in her book and on her blog, This Italian Life. I suggest to all Italophiles who dream of living the Italian life to take the time and visit Italy through Phyllis' stories... take the time to go back and read all her articles on her blog. And you can read her book, available on Amazon.

But sadly, for about a month or more, Phyllis' blog has been quiet. Too quite. The sad truth is, this wonderful purveyor of Italian tidbits of life has been ill... very ill. Phyllis is now fighting her biggest battle yet--with cancer.

I wanted to write this blog post to bring people's attention to Phyllis and her heartfelt writings. You can visit her page on Facebook HERE and read the links to her articles. You can leave a message of thanks to her for all she has shared with us. Let her know we love her words, her remembrances and most of all, her humanity. For that's what I've always felt when reading her stories. She has truly lived La Vita Bella. She has become Italian. She has become our friend and mentor and travel companion.

Thank you, dear, grand lady. You've made our lives a bit more Bella by sharing yours with us...

We're praying for you, Phyllis... and waiting for more of your wonderful words...

--Jerry Finzi