Bonsoir.
And I do mean “Hello there,” said shyly, timidly, for I haven’t been very present and yet you all have been extremely gracious and supportive.
It has been an unusual Summer. And it isn’t finished yet, so I will beg more of your patience for a little while longer – say two weeks or so – and then I will be so very excited to return to regular programming.
For you see, we are moving. Out of Arles but nearby. To a village that I hope will remain my secret. But then again you know of it already, as I have referred to it as My Secret Provence several times in the past.
Sometimes a certain place calls to you and won’t let you go until you make it your own. It took us almost one year but that is what Remi and I have done. We stopped looking for houses and started focusing on the where. No, we didn’t buy but found a rental that makes me say, “Hello House,” each time that I walk in the open front door. I smile broadly as I open up the shutters to let the light in.
You will understand when you see it. But not yet. No, I won’t share until we are moved in. I am funny that way.
Until then, can you stand by me a little longer, even if I am silent? My trip to the States ended up being longer than I had planned and so now, despite fierce jet-lag, I am thrown into the thick of packing and renovating before the moving date of the 21st. I am honestly not certain how much I will be around before then. But please don’t go away, for a quiet slice of the real Provence awaits you…yes, it still exists…
Do you have your hand on the door handle? I do, all while looking over my shoulder with much Gratitude. Arles will always be here for me but now we are certain and ready to start a new adventure.
For those of you that are wondering, yes, Remi and the boys are doing just fine and were very happy to welcome me home, albeit one in transit. No more to say about that, I am looking forward.
For there are good things ahead, I feel it in my bones.
Have a wonderful weekend. Toast the Summer for me, will you?
I am back..and getting with the move. Exciting and loving your photos…every single one of them. I am with everyone else…looking forward to more! Saying that…take your time, you will know when the time is right..happy unpacking and best wishes in your new home..to all of you! 😉 xx
Heather
I am so anxious to visit your new secret spot!
Good Lord, HEather….that postiung of mine somehow seems to have beenposted twice…..can youremove one of its appearnaces so that folks don't start hatingme?
hanks,
david
You're moving?! Wow. Big change! I love what you did to your home in Arles and look forward to seeing your creativity shine through your new home (if you care to share pictures once you are moved in.)
Taking a little breather on the blog to manage life sometimes is necessary. I've had to do it myself. Don't worry, we'll be here when you get back.
Happy moving to you all!
Hello Heather
This is all so very exciting. I am delighted for you. I have missed your posts, we have been travelling and making some lifestyle changes too. Once the dust settles, I shall post about it. I will leave you with this poem by John O'Donohue
By John O’Donohue
May this house shelter your life,
When you come in home here,
May all of the weight of the world
Fall from your shoulders.
May your heart be tranquil here,
Blessed by peace the world cannot give.
May this home be a lucky place,
Where the graces of your desires
Always find the pathway to your door.
May nothing destructive
Ever cross your threshold.
May this be a safe place
Full of understanding and acceptance,
Where you can be as you are,
Without the need of any mask
Or pretense or image.
May this home be a place of discovery,
Where the possibilities that sleep
In the clay of your soul can emerge
To deepen and refine your vision
For all that is yet to come to birth.
May it be a house of courage,
Where healing and growth are loved,
Where dignity and forgiveness prevail;
A home where patience of spirit is prized,
And the sight of the destination is never lost
Through the journey be difficult and slow.
May there be great delight around this hearth.
May it be a house of welcome
For the broken and diminished.
May you have the eyes to see
That no visitor arrives without a gift
And no guest leaves without a blessing.
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Dear Heather (and do, please, share this with Mister Britches),
Well….the next few weeks will be a bitch (commme nous disons en francaise, ne'st ce pas?), I'm sure. Trust me on this one; I had to move two houses into one two years ago…..It was three weeks before I finally found a single pair of my own socks….and only about two days before I told Herve "FIND YOUR OWN DAMNED SOCKS!!!!,,,,I'm looking for the poor, old dog's pills right now, mister!!!!"
In the midst of all the predictable Sound&Fury of moving…..do take a bit of time to play this for yourself…..a nice song to welcome you and Remi into your new (and soon to be loved, I bet you a shiny red apple) home. Listen to it while you begin setting things up for you and that fine, little family of yours…….Go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZyoRiBteI
"Holy as a Day Is Spent", written and sung by Carrie Newcomer……
Holy is the dish and drain
The soap and sink, the cup and plate
And the warm wool socks, and the cold white tile
Showerheads and good dry towels
And frying eggs sound like psalms
With a bit of salt measured in my palm
It’s all a part of a sacrament
As holy as a day is spent
Holy is the busy street
And cars that boom with passion’s beat
And the check out girl, Counting change
And the hands that shook my hands today
Hymns of geese fly overhead
And stretch their wings like their parents did
Blessed be the dog
That runs in her sleep
To catch some wild, elusive thing
Holy is a familiar room and the quiet moments in the afternoon
And folding sheets, like folding hands
To pray as only laundry can
I’m letting go of all I fear
Like autumn leaves of earth and air
For summer came and summer went
As holy as a day is spent
Holy is the place I stand
To give whatever small good I can
And the empty page, and the open book?…
…Redemption everywhere I look
Unknowingly we slow our pace
In the shade of unexpected grace
So with grateful smiles and sad lament….
As holy as a day is spent
And morning light sings “providence”
As holy as a day is spent
Many fond best wishes to you and Remi…..
David Terry
dt********@*ol.com
http://www.davidterryart.com