If you have chosen to read on, this is what I have to say.

Hold on to your dreams! Refuse to quit. Quitters never win and winners never quit. Take your time. Take a long walk. If you live in city like me, take your long walk through city blocks. If you are in countryside, you have a better advantage. Take long walk through that vast field, befriending nature on way.

Don’t just walk tucking your hands in your jacket pocket like a detective. No! Go over those plans of yours again and again as you walk. Rewrite if need be, there is great power in writing down. Don’t tell me you have a retentive memory. Write them down. You already have so much in your head, so write your dreams and plans down, paste it where you can see it everyday. Over washing sink: beside that mirror, your restroom door. Paste it on your computer so you could see it as you chat with friends.

Then set out to bring it to past, ignoring those mountains, for mountains (which are your challenges) most times are made out of molehills and storms in teacups.

Tell yourself, “ I won’t quit until I get what I want. There is a YES behind every no and a solution to every pressing problem confronting me. I will find it.” Close your eyes, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I have crossed rubicon, and there’s no going back. I will either get a big hit with my plans or I will have to hang on longer than Abraham Lincoln.”

Say to yourself, “ I have gone too far from where I started from and I’m not giving up. Never!”

And as you seek your dreams with hands and feet unwearied by labors, remember that dawn is not far in coming.

Coming soon, “Haiku with love” An inspiring poetry collection by A.Z. Alfred. To be published by Author House, USA www.writesight.com/blackzeal101

We suggested various arrangements and almost had old woman ready to accept our 65 euros and change, but daughter wouldn't budge. We determined that we would have to take bus into Potenza in morning, go to a bank, catch a bus back and stay an extra night in order to pay for our room. The buses didn't run often enough to allow many options.

We stomped back to our now much less attractive room. It was cold and we couldn't seem to get heat to work. Plus they were having a family party that evening directly below our room. From 7 to midnight we heard shrieking children and Italian pop music. It was truly hell.

I wanted to open my heart for a miracle. Michael was so miserable. I thought maybe we could pay someone to drive us and then bring money back. We knew with certainty that we weren't staying another night in that place.

In morning I thought we should have another go at owner and convince her to lower rate. Michael said no. Overnight he'd had a change of heart.

With our limited ability with language we could never make our case. Besides, he said, "These people don't meet many Americans. We could make a big stink and leave impression that Americans are bullies, or we could suck it up and be gracious for our country."

I got my miracle.

I won't go into all additional magic that happened that day, kindness we received from strangers. We took bus to Potenza, got money, returned, paid bill, had a pleasant exchange, got to stay in room until 4pm, went back to Potenza and caught bus to our next destination. On ride there I was filled with love for my husband and my country.