I had been waiting for this all day. On this hot day along the Riverwalk in San Antonio,Texas, my mother had proposed a sudden trip to a gelato shop nearby, and I had no objections.

   “Slow down!” my mother called as my brother and I ran along side the clear green water. “Monica, you’re going to trip. You’re wearing a dress!” Yes, this was true, but this long blue maxi dress, however beautiful it was, wasn’t going to stop me from getting to my gelato.

   “We’re here!” I cried in relief, and my brother laughed at the excitement in my tone. My parents caught up with us and we all strode into the wide air conditioned pavilion. We quickly located the shop and entered. This shop wasn’t fancy, but the sight of the sweet gelato in the stainless steel containers was enough to make my mouth water already.

   “Hello!” the man behind the counter said cheerfully in an Artesian accent. “Welcome, would you like to try some flavors?”

   “Yes!” my dad replied immediately and now I choked back a laugh at his apparent happiness. My dad loves ice cream and gelato.

   “Go ahead. Just point out the flavors you want to taste.”the man replied, smiling.  I walked up to the counter and saw the mint.

   “Ooh, the mint please. And the spanish dark chocolate as well.”

   “Coming right up.”

   I was handed two miniature spoons and I first tasted the mint. It was delicious. The spanish dark chocolate was next and it was equally as good.

   “Yum. I’ll take a scoop of both mint and the chocolate.”

   “Good choices,” he replied kindly. By then my brother had picked out his flavors and was waiting at the counter.

   “Your dad has made it his mission to try every single flavor the shop has to offer,” my mom said with a smile as I walked over and joined them at the counter to pay. It was true. I watched as my dad asked to try yet another flavor.

   He saw us looking and stammered, his mouth full of gelato, “They are all just so good!” We all laughed. My dad finally decided on his flavors and we went outside to eat. We decided to sit on a rock right in front of the canal. As I sat there, the sun warming my face, the chatter of people and ducks in my ears, the sweet taste of gelato on my tongue, the scent of nature around me, and the sight of the beautiful water and landscaping filling my vision, I had a moment of serenity and clarity wash over me. I am so thankful to be in this beautiful place with people who love me and would do anything for me. This is amazing, I thought.

   “I love you guys. Mom, Dad, thank you so much for bringing me here, this is beautiful,” I said, expressing my gratitude.

   “It’s no problem honey,” my mother replied, a little confused at the suddenness of my statement but still pleased. “I love you too.”

   “Love you too,” my dad echoed.

   And all was right in my world.