Or…it takes a village.
Remi has been gone for the past week and so I have been holding down the fort by myself along with the puppers. Except that I haven’t been alone and certainly not lonely.
For while, when I lived in Paris or Arles and this same situation would occur, I would initially be showered with various invitations that would only be followed up with unapologetic “So how did your week(s) go?” afterwards. Not so in this tiny Provençal village.
Here, I was immediately invited over to a lovely tea in a jasmine lined courtyard, given rides to public transportation so that I could get to two of my guided walks, taken to a resplendent flower show and spoiled with a very fine lunch of pastilla and fresh mint tea. All of it in great company.
The relatively few people that I know took the task of making sure that I was well quite seriously and yet did it with such gracious ease that I never felt like I was being a burden. It made me feel a part of this little community as did my daily salutations from my fellow gardeners. When you have moved around as much as I have in life, that is not a little feat.
And yet I was left wondering…Isn’t this how it should always be? Or has such consideration fallen widely into the derogatory sense of “old-fashioned”? I have a hunch that it comes down to a question of time – which tends to swing slowly in these parts – and priorities.
Regardless, I am left holding one certainty in the palm of my hand. It is carved with the word “kindness” and yes, that is something that is most certainly better than bijoux.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. May wonderful things bloom for you…
PS. I hope that those of you who left comments on my previous post will pardon my not responding individually as I usually do. The Mistral winds finally stopped after 16 days straight – sixteen days of howling winds! In May! Unheard of! – and so I have been lured away from the computer screen to play outside once again. My head still feels as though it is comprised of a big bag of rolling marbles!
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It's wonderful to live in a place where such 'old fashioned' values are still taken so much to heart. Glad you have friends who care for you so much.
We are also having an introduction to village life and the gifts of friendship that far surpass what we know back in the states. You described it beautifully ~
Ouch, my head feels sore just reading your description of a bag of rolling marbles. Continue to bloom beautifully in the good care of your community.
It sounds like you are really in the right place!!! So glad your neighbors have taken you under their wings!
What a lovely post and a great way to start the weekend, Heather! Oh if only there were a little more kindness and generosity to go around, but I am so glad that they came your way in such a genuine manner. Wishing you a beautiful Mistral-free week-end~
Yes, kindness and one's time freely given are both gifts and sometimes are all too rare. I am so glad that you are finding yourself more and more "at home" in this new community. Your peonies are gorgeous. Mine are still closed in tight little balls. Also, I'll be thinking of you over the next few days as Paul and I are flying out to Detroit — sadly, there was a death in his family.
Ah, how lovely to be cared for. Kindness means so much.
Gorgeous peonies. Mine are blooming today, too, blowsy in the sunshine. I hope you are enjoying the reprieve from the Mistral and good times outdoors! Bon weekend.
Kindness, Amen.
Simple, but takes practice.
Heather there is nothing in the world like friends who are so graciously and kindly there for you!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Xoxo
Karena
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