My heart has swelled like a balloon with humbleness. That may sound like an oxymoron but it is how I feel. For I wish to extend my sincere thanks for all of the extremely kind compliments, encouragements and support both in recent emails as well as in comments here. There is still a tiny bit of room left on the table for talk of gratitude, isn’t there? I appreciate it more than you know.
I have said it many times before but it is not a straight line to walk in this expat life. It zigs, it zags, it disappears entirely out from under your tapping feet from time to time. Good then to have others, even in the shadows, hovering with a piece of chalk in hand to sketch a few possible forthcoming steps. One, two, cha-cha-cha.
I thought that this article by Pamela Druckerman in the New York Times did a fine job of capturing the con-man charming conflict that can rise up within even the most well-intentioned of folks living over-seas and while it is written specifically from “an American abroad at Thanksgiving” point of view, I have a notion that it might apply to all of we “lost and found” types. You can find it by clicking here.
I was also quite moved today while listening to the exceptional Krista Tippett’s On Being podcast. This particular interview is with Eve Ensler, a playwright and social activist who is most widely known for “The Vagina Monologues,” a piece that has helped bring awareness about violence to women and girls globally. However, the subject of this podcast is “A second wind in life: Eve Ensler on inhabiting the body after cancer” and it is just as ground-breaking in its perspective towards what is also considered a taboo topic in many societies. For anyone struggling with cancer (or their friends and family members), I cannot recommend it highly enough. But they touch on other ideas that make it worth a listen for the rest of us, such as how our past experiences can take up residence in our body and a gorgeous section on the Nature of Love. You can find the podcast by clicking here.
Which brings me back to where I started. For love is all around, n’est ce pas? In all sorts of different forms and sizes so much that we can miss the forest for the trees because we are too busy searching for a Redwood.
“I believe in you.” It is as simple as that and one of my favorite sentiments. I’ll try to remember, then let that balloon go and watch it rise and rise…
Beep-beep.
Have a lovely weekend.
Marsha is right!! DRESS WAY UP!!!
I AM LOVING READING ABOUT everyone dressing way up!!! Finally!! "Slobbovia" is going out of style!!!
Penelope has it exactly right! She is beautiful and she is wise. Live life as a dog lives. How much simpler can it get, yet it's so profound. Someone said long ago that dogs don't need to talk, they have ESP. Only humans need to talk, everything else has evolved beyond words. LIVE LIFE every single day, have only good intentions, pardon everyone (we can't help it if they're stupid or uninformed) and dress WAY up.
Sending it right back from the Gardens of Allah, Arles branch. ;p
Much love from Babylon By The Bay.
Of course I loved that story. A very fine compliment, indeed. I hope the evening went as well as you could have wished it to, David.
And I love that program. Unlike French women, I hate to iron. And of course because we don't have a dryer, I have to iron everything. This podcast is my life-saver. I put it on and struggle to listen over the steam and am inspired and learn. I thought Eve Ensler was absolutely incredible in her vision and delivery of what she believes, just as you noticed yourself. And seriously? Anyone who is doing that kind of work in the Congo is just fine by me.
28?! How wonderful Penelope. I will look forward to reading all about it! And how right you are on every single point. I forget sometimes to just keep it simple but the puppers never do!!!
So glad you liked it! I almost sent it to you but know what a busy bee you are these days.
Because it is always unique maybe? And all we have to do is just take it in.
Sister, I just listened to it because I thought "Oh, Eve Ensler, this should be interesting" but it was amazing, thought-provoking and moving. I give it the thumbs up!
Remi had not one but two photo shoots so it was pretty much me sitting around moping! Save for a smattering of cooking which did me good.