Totally Frenched Out

From the blogger formerly known as Samdebretagne

Sunday, April 12, 2009

I don't know why I didn't realize it before, but for the first time, I have no where to go for Easter and no one to spend it with. Up until now, I've always had either my family or Fab's family to spend it with. And Easter, along with Christmas, are the two holidays of the year where it's important for me to be around family. So I was feeling kind of bummed picturing my family gathered at my Grandma's house. Eating the piles of peeps she always buys. And then Fab's family all at the farm around the dining room table. The kids looking for Easter eggs in the garden. The MIL giving out her traditional Easter baskets filled with lottery tickets. They were my family too for seven years and I still miss them (okay, so maybe I don't miss the crazy MIL).

It's my fault though - I've been traveling so much I didn't even realize Easter was this weekend until a client mentioned it after I said I'd call him on Monday. If I had, I would've tried to make plans to go somewhere, so I wouldn't end up spending the day alone. But I didn't realize it until it was too late, and so there I was- practically the only person left in Paris. I found myself at the gym, watching Desperate Housewives while working out on an elliptical trainer. It was one of the episodes where Bree was at AA, and they read this:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the diference.

Even though it's the AA poem, these lines have always spoken to me, and I found a lot of comfort in them after my dad died and after Fab and I broke up. I've always believed that there's no use wallowing in the past when it can't be changed, but lately I haven't been following my own mantra. My trip back to Bretagne stirred up a lot of memories, both good and bad, and ever since I've been sort of floundering. Feeling aimless. But hearing that poem again, combined with the advice of a dear friend, was the wake-up call I needed. Time to listen to Lorie and get back to ze positive attitude!

And so I decided to make plans for the weekend. Including going to the Easter service at Notre Dame today. Now, I'm not a huge church-y person, but it is Easter and I know my family will be happy I attended a church service, even if it was a Catholic one. Plus, it's beautiful day and I live within walking distance of the church - how many people can say that? It's yet another reminder that I really have nothing to complain about.
It's time to get back to feeling positive again!

Labels:

9 Comments:

Blogger Habebi said...

Hello, I'm Megan a blogger currently residing in Tulsa (don't hold that against me- I am a total Francophile!). I've been reading your blog for a little bit and just wanted to tell you that the video of Easter Mass in Notre Dame gave me goosebumps. Thank you so much for showing it. Bonnes Pâques to you!

April 12, 2009 at 8:01 PM  
Blogger Mallory said...

Happy Easter Sam.

If you were closer I would share my peeps with you

love ya!

xo Mal

April 12, 2009 at 11:04 PM  
Blogger Amy Plum said...

I wish I had read your blog earlier - you could have come to have Easter hamburgers with us.

I went to Easter service at Notre Dame years ago with my mom. I'm not very churchy either, but it was beautiful.

April 12, 2009 at 11:08 PM  
Blogger Starman said...

Happy Easter, Sam.
The prayer is actually called The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr. There is some info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer

April 12, 2009 at 11:36 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Happy Easter K-Sam! I really admire how you took the day by charge and made your own plans. Plus, you went to the gym on a day most people gorge on ham and chocolate! I totally feel you about the missing the family thing, but it looks like God is providing you with a nice little family in Paris. All the friend's you have and your packed social calendar are only symptoms of that, but maybe God wanted you to himself today? I know you're not churchy so this concludes the churchy portion of my message :)

April 13, 2009 at 2:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to see an Easter mass at Notre Dame. Aren't you lucky to live close by?
Hope you had a great day, good for you for making your own plans. Maybe you can start a tradition. If I had known you could of come here and spent the day with my belle-famille.

April 13, 2009 at 5:13 PM  
Blogger Quantumhollapena said...

That's amazing! I think if I could go to church at a place like Notre Dame, I may actually enjoy going and go sometimes!

April 13, 2009 at 6:38 PM  
Blogger Madame K said...

Ah man, You could have come to Vallee Village with us for shopping and Korean BBQ!

http://tiny.cc/n7esN

Maybe next year?

April 14, 2009 at 11:55 AM  
Blogger Marie said...

Sam, so lucky to live so close to Notre Dame !
If one day you want to go out of Paris, take a 1-hour TGV to Lille and spend the day/week-end with us !
Thanks for the Serenity Prayer !

April 22, 2009 at 7:19 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home