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!
Thank Goodness it is OVER!!! I thought that Mistral would never end. And I agree, bring on more kindness and generosity! Although I feel really grateful to have been on the recieving end of so much of both as of late.
Judith, I am so sorry for Paul's loss. I wish so much that you were visiting the D for another reason. My thoughts are with you both.
Lorrie, I would love to plant them here next year in our courtyard. There is a special heirloom variety in the village – the blooms only last ten days but they are spectacular!
I know that I am preaching to the choir as far as you are concerned, Joan. 😉
Thank you Karena, wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
The simple grace of small gestures are precious jewels indeed.
I learned that "offering something without taking” is your community of friends and kind people. A “certainty” just like opening your hand.
I did not realized mistral could last so many days.
Ah, kindness. It occurs to me that kindness can reflect a person who is at peace – do you know what I mean? Sometimes people are too preoccupied (with the self, really) to be kind – busy, depressed, worried, angry. So not on purpose, but just it brings the focus in instead of out. Don't know if I mentioned this, but on my recent trip to NYC, I felt cheerful and with my new mid-western friendliness. Well, do you know what? Every single interaction I had while there was a friendly and pleasant one! Every one! This from the town I deemed the most unfriendly in the world when I lived there. Methinks now that perhaps I played a part..(um, perhaps??). Also a discussion with David about this triggered a talk about simplicity in one's life, and the calming effects of that (can inspire kindness, too). At any rate, I'm so glad that people were kind to you while Remi was away, and thanks, also, for the beautiful flower pics! Le sigh!
Nothing to add but a big smile 🙂 xx
As it should be. Sounds like an unexpectedly lovely week. Hope your head has cleared.