A Broad Turning 50 Abroad
A Bonus post.
Yesterday was May Day, France’s Labor Day. No one celebrates “not working” better than the French. The terrasses and sidewalks were packed with, quite literally, everyone. There were unprecedented gelato lines around the block, copious amounts of Aperol spritzes being poured along with gallons of sunshine to drink.
Yesterday was also my birthday. It was filled with love, laughter and deep gratitude. What I initially thought was going to be a lonely milestone, thousands of miles away from “home”, turned out to be a gentle celebration: Wesley made “American” pancakes (are there any other kind?!) that were absolutely delicious, I finished chapter 10 of my memoir, went for a walk and had a glass of wine en terrasse and it was as if all of Paris was celebrating this milestone. I took calls when I caught them, read texts when I got them, and reveled in the fact that this vehicle called “me” has traversed a half of a century of becoming: becoming a better human, better mom, better daughter, better friend, better writer, better singer, better partner, better citizen, better Francophone. (That last one seems to have hit a wall to which I begrudgingly surrender. But, surrendering is also very French, so…)
Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” If we keep doing our best, the evolution just…happens.
Keep evolving.
Keep the faith.
Keep noticing the everyday moments, good and bad.
Because here’s the joke, they are ALL miracles.
YOUR readership and support have been miraculous. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than to be able to continue to unleash creativity with y’all! Thank you.
Fyi, when people sing Happy Birthday to you via zoom, you get a very “special” rendition.
In Laughter,
LStL
p.s. Apparently there is a surprise weekend getaway planned starting tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Bon anniversaire! Sounds like a wonderful birthday and more celebrations to come. Have a glass of bubbly (or two) for me!