VOICES
FULL CIRCLE
BY ANN DUDLEY
I open the lid to my auxiliary jewelry
box. The box of what I think of as my over-
fl ow area that holds pieces I rarely wear but
are too precious for me to let go. In the cor-
ner, I spy the ring and slip it on my fi nger.
The surface of the glass feels cool against
my skin, and I’m transported back to the
spring of 2002.
I had planned on going to Italy with my
best friend. But she bagged on the trip as
we started to plan it. What was I to do? I
decided to go anyway. This was to be my
fi rst trip to Europe on my own. My previous
trips had always been with my family or my
husband.
I was anxious. There were other factors
involved other than traveling alone. This
was my fi rst trip on my road of recovery
See Page 7
Patrik Andersson
San Marco square in Venice.
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