Most of you know, that I got here this summer by the hardest. A four month plan that was quickly "buggered" with tenant problems meant moving from four months to two. I told myself that I was getting home this summer for some amount of time, no matter what!
I don't know what I expected. But now that I'm here, I'm finding that the blinders that helped me to continue to move forward through problems and stress in the states have fallen. Lots of thoughts, feelings, and sometimes tears rush in. But, it's all a good thing.
I often wander around the Chatette and ask myself:
"How can you ever leave this place?"
I haven't ventured far at all during this trip. Usually, I'm off on the bus to go to the Carrefour in Figeac or to visit friends in Cahors and Tour de Faure. Turns out, the bus was bought out by another company and the schedules have changed. It meant having to think through my "grocery making" and visits in a whole new way. I didn't have energy for that until just this past week, when I went in to Figeac. I used to go in the mornings and squeeze everything in to a couple of hours. Now the afternoons make more sense and there's more time to wander, wonder, and take photos.
On my way to the Carrefour, I was standing at the Cele River that cuts a picturesque and beautiful path through the center of Figeac.
I stood just across the street from my bus stop, surrounded by: flowers; ancient views; and, musical rushing water. It hit me hard here. I asked myself:
"How can you ever leave these places?"
And so me, who has always said that it isn't France or the valley but the Chatette and just that spot that keeps me coming back; came to understand on Thursday...it truly is these places who have woven their magic into my heart and soul.
What a wonderful tapestry to my life!