When I Think of Italy, I Think of an Americano coffee and smile

Some days in the emergency department move so quickly that everything blurs together—voices, footsteps, monitor alarms, endless motion. And then, every so often, someone arrives who brings a moment of unexpected light into the whirlwind.

She was an older Italian woman, elegant even in the middle of an ER visit. She had taken a fall at home, but her warmth filled the room the second she spoke. As care continued, casual conversation drifted naturally toward her homeland. Suddenly, her eyes brightened, and the entire tone of the room shifted.

She began painting vivid memories of Italy—rolling vineyards touched by sun, cliffside towns overlooking deep blue water, streets where conversations flow as freely as wine. Listening to her was like stepping inside a postcard.

You could almost feel the Mediterranean breeze brushing your face. Then, with a playful sparkle in her eye, she leaned closer. “Cara… in Italy, you must know—espresso is the coffee. Real coffee,” she said, lifting her finger. “One sip, and you wake up. One sip, and you feel alive.”

Before there was time to respond, she gave a dramatic sigh and placed a hand over her heart.

“But do you know what makes Italians cringe?” she whispered as if sharing a scandalous secret. “When a tourist orders… an Americano.”

She shuddered theatrically, laughing at her own performance. “We try to hide it—we really do. But inside? Dio mio! We are screaming. You cannot just pour all that water on espresso! It is like… diluting the soul!”

Her laughter was contagious, spilling into the hallway, softening the edges of a long day. For a brief moment, the bustling ER faded away, and the two of us were transported to a small, sunlit café in Florence—where espresso is rich, tiny, and served with pride.

As the shift went on, the conversation lingered in my mind. There was something deeply meaningful about the contrast she described: the boldness of true espresso versus the watered-down Americano.

Walking home that evening, the metaphor unfolded naturally.

How often do we water down our own thoughts?How often do we dilute our experiences, our truths, our reflections—softening them so they feel more “acceptable,” quieter, easier to swallow?

What would it look like to sit with our thoughts in their purest form—strong, bold, honest?

That question sparked something.

And that’s how Americano Thoughts Daily Journal was born.

A journal designed to encourage genuine reflection, undiluted expression, and thoughts that stay true to their original strength—no watering down, no apologies, no hesitation. A reminder to savor your reflections the way Italians savor espresso: fully, deeply, and without losing an ounce of flavor.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Americano Thoughts Daily Journal, please use the link below.

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