I chuckled when I reread one of my last posts here about my decision to stay in New Orleans until the spring of 2021. It made perfect sense at the time, but life in the United States kept changing day to day, and not just related to the virus. It was the pestilence running rampant in our federal government that continually pushed my re-evaluation of that spring date. It is a virulent pestilence that is eating our democracy alive. I teased that I was more afraid of the government pestilence than the Corona Virus.
At least with the virus, there were things we all could do to protect ourselves the best we could.
Once George Floyd was murdered by the police, and I saw the federal government's response, I decided to push my return up to mid-September. With the second murder of a young black man in Atlanta, I began to think August.
I really had to think about all I had hoped to accomplish in New Orleans this trip AND what was realistic for a good departure. I've learned over all these years that "leaving well" is important, even though there are very many things that are not in our control.
I try very hard to pay attention to my feelings. It's easy in Cadrieu, but less so in New Orleans with all the noise, people, and busy. Somehow, when it was important in New Orleans, it seeped through. Reading from the sofa one day, I had this overwhelming sense of go NOW. Go as soon as you can! You must go now. I was thinking about WWII and all the books I'd read over the years about the jews and others who were trying to decide what to do. Do we stay? Do we go? If we go, where? How will we know the time is right? What happens if we are too late? I didn't want to be "too late!"
That was when I settled on early August as the soonest I could realistically leave and leave well. I was very much afraid that if I didn't go, I might not be able to get out and home to Cadrieu.
I am most grateful for having HOME to come to...not just a place to go, but home that I love and wonderful people around me who love and support me. I began to make lists to put all the pieces in place. There were things that I needed to buy to take back to Cadrieu with me.
There were housekeeping chores on Columbus Street that I wanted to get done before I left.
I was keeping up pretty regularly with the French Consulate site in New Orleans to be sure if there were any changes in requirements for entry into France. Good Thing!
The Thursday, a week to the day of my departure, I saw that the French Government was requiring a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours and documentation of results prior to boarding flights to France. I freaked. I extended the time on my rental car and reached out to friends and connections.
Fortunately, my friend Harlee knew about the RAPID testing site with results in 15 minutes and documentation. I got an appointment, a negative result and was good to go, but cautiously each step of the way.
Now that I'm here and home I am so grateful. There are clearly angels on my shoulders and angel voices in my ears. I kept remembering how Dad said: "Go to France, Laury," in the midst of the insanity and sadness of New Orleans post-Katrina. I'm sure his and Mom's voices were the loudest in my ear...you must go...go now!
I listened.
While I would like to take credit for the configuration of my life and all that gives me freedoms that others may not have, I realize as I sit back and look at the lovely Lot, that there is an umbrella over my life that seems to protect me from tough times and disasters.
I feel that protection very strongly here.
Happy Wednesday!
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