A Gratitude Break After 15 Days Of Writing For National Blog Posting Month (Oy!)

After fifteen days of writing for National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) I'm taking it a little easier today. As I write this it's late afternoon, and I'm enjoying the view of our mountain so softly lit by the setting sun. The snow barely covers the ground, reminding me that another winter is soon upon us and with it comes the dreaded permanent chill in the air.

The quiet in the house is comforting, the only sound are the bells on my cats' collars. It soothes me in ways I can't explain. And so I reflect.

Recently I was asked to create a gratitude challenge for MultipleSclerosis.net, the health website I write for. Often, the holidays are a difficult time for people living with chronic illness, making it important to remember what we're grateful for instead of focusing on our illness. This issue is not exclusive to those with disabilities. It can also be a lonely or stressful time for others.

I posted three things I am grateful for with accompanying photos. With Thanksgiving coming, I thought I'd write a (very) short gratitude post for my 16th day of NaBloPoMo.

I am grateful that our son had a chance to get to know his great-grandparents.

Gratitude

And that all four of his grandparents are an integral part of his life.

gratitude

I am grateful I have had an opportunity to travel to see loved ones, and to explore new places.

gratitude

I am more than grateful for every experience I've had, both good and bad, that helped shape my life to bring me to this moment. Because right now I am grateful to you, dear reader, for your comments, encouragement and support. You have enriched me in ways that I never anticipated or take for granted. I humbly thank you.

Have a wonderful Sunday and an empowering week.

OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

The Magic of Provence

Although I've had many trips that hold a special place in my heart, one in particular stands out among the rest.

One very magical journey.

Sheer joy running through fields of poppies

Sheer joy running through fields of poppies

 There are moments in a mother's life when you want to freeze a  point in time.  Years can fly by, yet you can recall, in your mind's eye, an instance when your child did something that left an indelible mark on your heart.

 Playing with Pa outside our house in Joucas

Hey, Pa, I want to play!

At three years old, our son's youthful exuberance was pure, joyous, and infectious. On a trip to Provence, we saw the beauty of the French region through his eyes.

It was my Utopia.

In the days of SLR cameras with wide-angle and zoom lenses, I schlepped my equipment around France to record our son on film. When he gleefully ran through fields of bright red poppies, I was beside him, snapping picture after picture.

Provence
Photo: www.map-of-france.co.uk

The year was 1996, and my parents, who were world travelers, decided to rent a house in Joucas, a lovely commune in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France.

It was the summer before our son would begin nursery school, the last time a school calendar couldn't dictate our vacation schedule.

We were thrilled to be able to go.

Our house in Joucas was idyllic, on a hilltop with a captivating view of the beautiful French countryside.

The view from our house in Joucas

The view from our house in Joucas

My father is a master at planning trips, with great attention spent on every last detail. We relied on his expertise and were never disappointed.

20130710-2108186

Downtown Gordes

Every morning we'd eagerly anticipate what new adventure was in store. We enjoyed sightseeing in historical towns and exploring picturesque cobblestone roads while fulfilling the fantasy of living like an expatriate in a magnificent area of France.

From Carpentras,

Carpentras: Important center of French Judaism with oldest synagogue in France. Also famous for black truffle market.

to Roussillon and Avignon,
20130710-21081817
20130710-21081818
 to Arles, with its rich history that included Vincent Van Gogh creating over 300 paintings and drawings during his year-long stay.Recently Updated3

We loved the experience of shopping at their fresh food markets,

Fresh market

and bringing it home to Claudie, our housekeeper/cook extraordinaire. Claudie didn't speak a word of English, and Jordan didn't say a word of French.  Yet somehow they managed to communicate, laughing and having fun while she created her delicious country French cuisine.

LovingtheFood

We always managed to have fun

Fun in Provence

and found time to shop for berets and the region's beautifully handmade blue and yellow tablecloths.

20130710-21081812

A few times, we had impromptu picnics because when you're traveling with a 3-year-old, it makes things simpler.

Stopping to picnic with view of Pont du Gard - an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge

Stopping to picnic with a view of Pont du Gard - an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge

20130710-21081816

Our last day together finally came.  We had to say goodbye to my parents as they continued their trip, and we headed home.

After touring on the last morning, we drove down a wooded road.  Out of nowhere, a beautiful chateau appeared, surrounded by olive trees and fields of poppies as far as the eye could see.

20130710-21081819

20130710-21081820

To our delight, they were serving lunch on their terrace.

20130710-21081814

I remember this meal as a perfect way to end our magical journey in Provence. The setting and the food were exquisite.

And when the meal was over, Jordan jumped up from the table to do one last time what he loved to do most of all.

He ran through the fields of poppies.

Au Revoir!

Au Revoir!

Skip to content