Some days are quite simple. Others no, of course not. Life is messy, even in Provence! And certainly a mix-tape of thinking, music, memories and imagined discussions plays on a loop in my head pretty much from the moment I open my eyes to see the day to finally surrendering to les bras de Morphée. But then there are moments when something so wonderful shocks me and everything falls into place. That is why for me, the sound of joy is silence. Not the brass-band fanfare that it is often portrayed to be.
This morning, I woke with my arms above my head, hands firmly in the Namaste mudra. I wondered at the oddity but felt as tangled from my dreams. So imagine my delight when I opened up my email to find news from my Sister, Robin: she is coming to visit in the beginning of July! Any lingering spider-webs immediately vanished like sun hitting the dew. My Sister! Coming here! I shouted out to Remi and he immediately came to join me, his smile mirroring my own.
I am often asked “Does your family come to visit often?” and I always respond “When they can.” Airplane fares are only increasing and as both my Mom and Sister work full-time, they have tight schedules to wrestle with. So when either of them mention the possibility of a visit I hold my breath internally and try not to show too much outward excitement. Until the ticket is bought. As it was today!
As Robin has her own business (she has her own branch of the wonderful Music Together and is a brilliant teacher), we have always had an especially difficult challenge of finding the right time for her to visit. And so…she has never met Ben. Oh my, can you imagine? He loves the beautiful ladies (my Sister is a looker) and I know that he is going to be her shadow while she is here, pulling out all of his most suave moves to win her over utterly. I cannot wait to for them to meet.
And if that weren’t an exciting enough prospect for my Sister, Robin has only been in Provence at Christmas time. Those of you that have been with me for a while know that those Mistral winds rip and roar all winter long. We have shivered together while I tried to show her some glimpse of the beauty that I know. How I hope to take my Sister for a picnic in an olive grove in the Alpilles and walk with her among the lavender fields. All I know is that I will spoil her rotten. And Chef Remi will too. It’s his speciality.
For those of you that have never lived abroad, it is worth considering what it means to be so far from the rest of your family, something that I have written about often. Leaving your home country is like throwing a net out to sea–and you are the net! Fortunately, I have a wonderful partner in Remi. But he knows as well as I that I will revel in “Sister Time.” July, come quickly please!
Ah, speaking of joy, I would also like to extend my deepest, most heart-felt “Hooray!” to our dear, dear friends Sonny and Michael, who have just remarried. Sonny is a beaming 75 year old bride and as gorgeous as her name would suggest. Michael, ever the suave gentleman, must have been one dignified groom. If only we could have been there to sabrage the champagne. But our friends are forever close in our hearts. Many thanks to you both for showing us that the long path of life is winding but that is nothing to be afraid of.
Let Love Rule…
Oh no, you are so generous! But I know that Robin will bring me some Americana! And I might just need to make a list from Trader Joe's too!! Have a great trip!
Not better but different: the unconditional love of our puppers? 😉
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! And Sister that photo is the essence of Benness–he is just saying with his eyes "Robin I am really, really fun and sweet, where are you?". 🙂
Yes, Jenny, I can only imagine how excited you were. Texas to the Netherlands is one long trip, I can see why it would be hard for them to manage it! Our family does the best they can. Do you get to go back to Texas from time to time?
Chris, as happy as I always am to hear from you, I have only one thing to say–please go to sleepy now! Unless you are travelling, it is quite late your time! Zzzzz…. And great news that you are advancing with your painting!
Hi Heather! I have been working, painting, studying my French, and been out of town a lot. Merci for all the wonderful posts since my last writing. Your eloquence is enveloping as a breeze through the plane trees in the summer heat. Love your writing and your photos, aussi. Can't wait for the musings of your sister's visit to Arles!
A bientot!
Chris
WHAT WONDERFUL NEWS!Perhaps I shall mail SISTER a little something to accompany her to you!Would you like some of that APPLE BUTTER you mentioned?I shall search for something HEATHERISH!Off and skipping as I need to finish the luggage!
xoxo
Sister love and septuagenarian love. What could possibly be better than that?
Thank you for this wonderful post – I am glad I spurred these joyful feelings!! And what an honor to accompany these lovely pictures, including the one of Ben, who looks like he sat for a portrait to celebrate my impending visit! I cannot wait to see you and Remi and meet Ben and know we will have the most wonderful time – hooray for saving your pennies, provence in July, and time going very quickly!!!
I understand your excitement with your sister coming to visit. I've live in the Netherland for seven years and none of my children or family from Texas have come to see me for the same reason as yours. Last weekend my nephew came and for 36 hours I was in heaven. Hard to explain. He understood. I am happy for you. xo Jenny