The Best Gift...

Christmas is a time of giving, and receiving.

Three years ago I received a gift... and my life changed. Completely, totally, and I hope permanently.

I received my passion.

Oh, I had passion for my family, and for God, and I in no means want to minimize those, but this was different...

It was a passion just for me... well, actually for me and my better half.

Paris gave me passion...

Only in a place of passion, is something like this created...

so full of emotion...

feeling...

Only in a place of passion, do you turn, and see this..

In Paris I received my passion...

passion for a place,

a way of life,

a way of thinking... thinking that told me there was more out there in the world than right here where I live...

My life gained texture, wonder, romance, awe, inspiration. I am willing to do things I would've never done before, all because I visited a place...

Here are a few things I've done over the past 3 years, that I would have NEVER done without open eyes to see the possibility to live more fully, to take chances, to get out of my rut... a rut I had carefully constructed myself, a rut I thought I was most happy in...

Until... Paris...

*I was the lead in a play for charity. I always secretly dreamed of being an actress, but never pursued it. You know what? When it was over, even though I was glad I did it because it stretched me, I realized I do not ever really want to do that again.

Funny, huh?

*I started writing. I took a writing class. I started this blog! I can promise you, no way would I have had anything to say, or the nerve to say it, a few years ago.

I did the book writing challenge. Without Versailles, and all the mystery and glamour of that place, and falling in love with Marie Antoinette, along with the city of Paris,

I would have never, ever had the imagination to do that.

*I took French lessons with a group of complete strangers.

*We welcomed a 14 year old French girl, Clara into our home for 3 weeks. That was so unlike us. We don't even like to have company!

*We visited Clara's family in Marseille, knowing they didn't even speak English! What a night... what an experience.

*I've turned corners, not knowing where I was going.

*Gone down deserted, lonely streets and alleys, unafraid.

*Walked alone (without Scott) in Paris at night at 11pm, thrilled by the exhilaration of knowing I would never do that in America.

*I got on trains without the proper ticket. Would I be thrown off? Get in trouble? Who knew? I just stuck my nose in a book, and hoped for the best. My heart beat wildly, but sometimes, when you have no choice, you just have to go with the flow.

*I went in buildings, restaurants, cafes etc. having no idea what the deal was, how the food was, or how we would be treated.

*I jumped turnstiles, when there were no other options.

*I learned to put on a scowl and argue with Frenchmen...ok, so it did me no good, but still, I did it! I stood up for myself.

*I tried snails... I love snails... enough said.

So my favorite gift I ever received did not come wrapped in a package at Christmas. It was given to me quite unawares, when I didn't even see it coming.

Only once in my life did a place that was man-made,

overwhelm me,

bring me to tears.

Only once have I sat in awe...

felt the passion of others...

felt the passion of creativity and artistry...

seen what can be created when there is time, no rush, no deadline...

Never have I felt so small, yet so full...

So Paris, I applaud you for preserving your past, for keeping your passion for beauty, for understanding that you can change and evolve...without removing all remnants of the past. An old building isn't torn down, it's recreated into something else. A palace that no longer houses royal residents, isn't mowed down for something new, it becomes home to some of the greatest works of art ever created. The residents of your apartment buildings change with each new generation, but the mystery and emotion in the air, never goes away.

So for me, I just want to say,

Merci Paris...Merci Beaucoup