The First Day Being Better

I woke up.

I wrote an email.

I realized that it didn't hurt anymore.

Today was the first day that I have been okay with being single. I am ready to move on. The universe knew that I was ready today, so it made sure that the weather for an early spring afternoon in France was perfect. The air smelled fantastic from all the flowers in bloom. Anne and Benoit had spent all morning in the garden, planting flowers and vegetables. I love not having a dryer durring this weather: all my clothes hanging outside are going to smell so wonderful in the morning. Sipping coffee from an oversized mug, Poupousse at my feet, listening to the caucaphany of windchimes and birdsong and child's play and growing things made me feel so at peace, so in love with life. Yeah, it was an amazing zen moment.

Later that afternoon, Anne invited me to take a walk along the Loire river with her and her Thai friend Noe. The day greeted us with a smile. The view was spectacular, the air fresh, and the walk amazing. I don't think there's anything as French as taking these walks on a sunday afternoon. The path along the Loire that we took is an old dockway that comes right up to the back entries of castles and country houses. It's so cool to peer into the beautiful yards of those who live along the riverbanks and dream of one day owning a house like that. We also passed public gardens, horse pastures, and open fields. One of the best things about Angers is that it takes a 10 minute drive to spend a day in the country. And not a corn-soy-corn-corn-corn-lookmorecorn kind of way, but in an overgrown vinyard, rambling roses, lush grasses kind of way. Walking along the Loire, taking the time to meander barefoot through the long grass, I found peace. I'm on a great adventure, and nothing more is going to weigh me down.

Refreshed from the wonderful walk, I was ready for a great meal. Pappi and Mammita had invited me to a dinner at their house. I felt so honored! They live right across from the military school in Angers and have the most fabulous house. It's filled with all of these old paintings and photographs, antique furniture, and accents of their travels abroad. It is beautiful enough to be a museum, but comfortable and intimate enough to be the perfect grandparents' house. Pappi and Mammita are in great shape. Their bedroom is on the third floor, their kitchen on the second. They still use the stairs regularly, and don't really have an option. The evening was wonderful and the food was good. I had this rum aparatif that was called "shrube" or something to that effect from Guadeloupe that was absolutely delicious, and Mammita had made the best tomato soup I have ever eaten. The company was delightful. Pappi entertained us all evening-- as well as anyone who called on the phone-- with a singing tie that he had been gifted that Christmas. I was very sad when the evening came to a close, but Pappi and Mammita have opened their doors to me whenever I need it, as did Noe earlier that day. Life is grand. And I have faith that what is coming next for me-- on any and all fronts-- will be wonderful.