How Do We Love?

Danielle and her high-spirited, bohemian, very sage grandfather, “Papa,” are planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy when a dramatic medical diagnosis makes the quest to get there urgent. A mysterious box of 1937 photos and letters shows up, and the original plan turns into an epic adventure they never could have imagined. With a rucksack full of playfulness, courage, and luminous pearls of Papa’s wisdom, the duo time-travel across this true story, and along the way discover the meaning of life, the truth about love, and the possibility that it all just might be one and the same.

In 2004, Danielle and her high-spirited, bohemian, very sage grandfather, “Papa,” are planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy when a dramatic medical diagnosis makes the quest to get there urgent. A mysterious box of 1937 photos and letters shows up, and the original plan turns into an epic adventure they never could have imagined. With a rucksack full of playfulness, courage, and luminous pearls of Papa’s wisdom, the duo time-travel across this true story, from 1937 through 2008: Visiting the magical splendor of eternal Italy; Experiencing the trials and triumphs of a Depression-Era New York; Defying tradition in mid-century Connecticut; and navigating unfamiliar, stormy waters in modern-day Florida. Once aboard, you’ll realize you’re not merely an observer of the journey, and not just a passenger on the caravan. You are a mighty companion on an inspiring, vibrant pilgrimage that helps explain infinity, compels the importance of listening to and telling other people’s stories, and conveys the unending presence and power of unconditional love. Together you reach your destinations, and along the way discover the meaning of life, the truth about love, and the possibility that it all just might be one and the same.

Danielle Landis, Ph.D. and hoarder of fancy chocolate bars, abandoned a comfortable career in public health, a university benefits package and a quite roomy, hyper-fluorescent office cave to become a traveling, tree-hugging, non-GMO granola crunching, peace, love, and joy writer, photographer and artist. When she is not roaming the planet exploring, learning and writing about life, the universe and everything, you can most likely find her wandering the nearest beach; force-feeding vegetarian, gluten-free picnic foods to family and friends; engaging in a profound misuse of language, grammar and punctuation; or trying not to hurt herself and others in yoga or surfing. In between gypsy meanderings, Danielle resides in Florida, the United States, with her husband, their rotating collection of empty wine bottles, and a lot of superfluous sand. While she has written numerous, exhilarating academic and scientific page-turners, this is her first creative non-fiction novel.