FRANCESCA- Who is she really?

I saw Francesca in the Antigua market in Guatemala. She looked so confused sitting amongst others in a basket securely displayed in a glass cabinet. As soon as I saw her, I knew I had to have her. So I bought her for 10 cents and since then we have been inseparable. She has beautiful brown skin with long black hair parted in the middle. She wears a colorful dress with bare feet. One look at her and I knew her name was Francesca. Just look at her, how can you not fall in love with her? She has an innocent look to her eyes and deserved rescuing. Francesca is mine forever and ever. Sorry you can't borrow her, you already have one.

Francesca is tiny, only 3cm tall. According to a very old legend passed down for generations among the indigenous people living in the Highlands of Guatemala, she is a worry doll. Each night before bed, I am suppose to tell her my worries and then place her underneath my pillow. The legend says that when I wake up in the morning my worries will be all gone. My Francesca is a worry pendant meant to be worn. I have modernized Francesca's role.

Since Guatemala, Francesca always accompanies me on my travels. She is my American express card, "I don't leave home without her". She is usually securely pinned to my bra close to my heart. At night if I am not on some crazy bus or train journey, she is usually under my pillow. But I am afraid of leaving her behind, so I just leave her pinned to my bra. When I am frolicking on some tropical beach, she is pinned to my bikini. I am not a strong swimmer, so I need Francesca's protection from the motions of the ocean.

When I think of Francesca, I smile. When I am not travelling, she is securely tucked in my jewelry box. Only when I travel does she take on a tangible form. She is very brave and tells me exactly what she feels- moment by moment. She is my savour, my angel, my guardian, my protector. She is my negotiator because she is reasonable, sensible and calm.... well most of the time. Who else saved me from the the machetes and machine guns at the Honduras border, the jaguars and alligators in the Tikal Jungle and the violent street dogs in India?

Francesca is smart, feisty, interesting and very devilish. She loves a good adventure probably because she knows the outcome of the adventure-that I will be safe. She is always making me repeat "no matter what, everything works out". If you repeat something often enough, you will believe in it. I am definitely a trouble maker and the instigator but Francesca just naturally seems to appear when I need rescuing. When I am in doubt, I call upon her to give me guidance or make decisions. I listen to her because she is a quick thinker, fast on her feet and designed to be trusting. She stops me from being reckless and puts me in my place when I am out of line. She wears her heart on her sleeve and loves to love. She cares about the world I live in and values good communication. She talks to me sincerely and genuinely. She tells me things and gives me feelings. Francesca is my inner voice, my gut instinct. No, no, no I am not nuts, don't go there! But I can be a drama queen and just alittle melodramatic.

Francesca is ME, but be careful don't give her too many sour green apple martinis. Cheers Francesca!

Everyone has a "Francesca" or "Frank" (for you men). Good communication is paramount in today's relationships, whether they are with friends, family or lovers. Life is too short and fragile. Life doesn't always go the way you want it, and hey who said life is fair. A new year approaches while the previous year disappears quickly. Be sincere and genuine to others and listen to your inner voice.