As I approach the halfway mark of the Joseph S. Bruno program I reflect on how time has already seemed to slip away so quickly. As a senior, I reflect on my life and the decisions that have made me who I am today. My life on the other side of the world in Auburn, Alabama seems to move one thousand miles a minute, meanwhile, in Ariccia everything seems to move at a gradual pace. 

The two most important perspectives I’ve received from this program are being present at the moment and discovering new joy. Ariccia, I feel as if I have found a place that is not looking for short-term satisfaction. This town has an appreciation for the mundane. These people live in the present and rest in the plenty that they have been provided. These are things I hope to reflect in my personal and professional life as I continue on this journey. 

Presence and joy can be seen as my dinners get longer with two hours to three hours of fellowship and camaraderie. It can be heard in the simple “ciao” or hello as I pass my favorite coffee shop in the mornings. It can be felt in a hug and kiss from Mary Lou after sharing her stories of the past. 

My time may be fleeting as a student at Auburn University, but what I have learned from these short weeks is more than I could have ever imagined. Ariccia has wrapped its arms around me and told me to slow down, enjoy the present, and uncover new joy.

Campbell Sandlin