More than a TV Interview

Life is a journey. It can take you places you never expected to be. Today, I was at Restaurant Rosalie in downtown Montreal where I was filmed for an interview for the Italian TV show La Bella Vita.

Of course, I was a little nervous about the interview but I knew the host and it lasted all of five minutes. I wasn't in a studio and only one cameraman was in place.


What I found most interesting, however, were the other people I met there. The young cook who worked at the restaurant was interviewed first, hence the reason for filming at that chosen spot. I was next, followed by Maria Teresa Ronca, an artist who does hand-shaped ceramic plates, floor mats, watercolour paintings and mixed media artwork, and Veronica, a ballerina from Milan who now lives and teaches in Montreal.

Even after the TV crew packed up their things and moved on we hung around and chatted up a storm. I especially enjoyed Maria Teresa's experiences as she has been an artist for more than 30 years. And she loves to write, sometimes incorporating this into her artwork. We clicked instantly.

Afterwards, I thought about our conversation for a long time. What is it about some people we meet during our life journey that touches us in ways that are unforgettable? Within minutes of chatting we felt at ease and began sharing anecdotes that were mutually welcome and that sparked memories and personal opinions willingly given and taken about our lives as artists.

When I voiced my heartfelt, "I really hope I will see you again!", she responded with a firm and definite,"Of course, we will see each other again." She promised to buy a copy of my book and to tell others about it simply because, I believe, we had a wonderful time together. It was enough to make her desire to read my novel just as I wanted to own a piece of her stunning artwork because I now also knew the intelligent and warm-hearted woman whose hands molded the clay.