The author journeys back to Venice during winter, longing for the familiarity of a beloved city that evokes memories of youth and love. However, the visit is overshadowed by a profound sense of loss and change due to life-altering crises, including health struggles and emotional trauma from multiple miscarriages. This return to Venice serves as a backdrop for grappling with grief, as the author contemplates her past self who was more carefree and resilient, contrasting sharply with her current sense of paralysis and sorrow in facing personal hardships.
"I haven't told my friends—either here in Europe or back in Canada—about the depths of my sorrow. Each day feels like a new struggle."
"Her laugh sounded different then—not waterlogged, but free. That version of me never doubted that she could persevere."
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