Thank you ElleTinker and Anita!
The Bridges of Madison County is a popular
book and also a movie….

Here is what I had a thought about Francesca- She has spent her life WAITING…she came to the US and was plunked in the middle of nowhere, to be the dutiful wife and mother. Seems she had more sophisticated young life in Italy before meeting her American solder husband and being exiled to the farmlands of her husbands choice years before.. Wanting a little more charm and elegance than what became her lot. She did not fit in with the farm wives and had loneliness in her heart. Robert (Eastwood) recognized she had more sophistication and intellect and had dreams of a more colorful life than the grey skies of Iowa. He came along and made her feel like if she would only drop her fears and come with him, she would experience the life and LOVE she was seeking. The sadness is the rest of the story, how she didn’t open the door and flee. She continued her melancholy dreary life, being the good mother and wife, and allowing the fire in her soul to be extinguished. She had this ache for him for years after, and kept the secret in her heart.
Elle Tinker*** My backstory to this is under this forum of Relationships with post titled Past/Present/Future Dilemma. It spells out the dilemma I am under. Thanks for your kind and helpful thought!