I am 2637 km’s from Paris, just about to start crossing the Atlantic ocean. I opened my package from friends in Victoria marked “Open on the plane to France”. What a wonderful gift. Cards with wonderful wishes and words of encouragement, and little gifts; a pocket calendar of Vancouver Island, a crystal and some gem stones, a photo from way back in my Revelstoke days, “the list” (more on that once I do it) and crazy photos of me with captions written on them. All of this bound together with red thread. Thank you, all of you.
I had a wonderful week, leading up to today. My stop in Winnipeg was an opportunity to catch up with some old friends and spend some quality time with Mom. And the weekend in Toronto was great fun. We had a super dinner out on Saturday with my Dad, my sister and brother-in-law and their friends, who welcome me like one of the gang. Then my brother-in-law cooked the most delicious birthday dinner on Sunday. I was give a Sony E Reader as a gift – I love it, love it, love it.
You should have seen me today at the airport. I was like a little kid – giddy with excitement. This trip to France is so different than the one I took last year. Since Jean-Luc’s death, I have learned that even if I go away, I never leave anyone. (just as Jean-Luc has never left me). You are all part of this journey – you are all with me. Everyone has helped me get to where I am. Have you ever felt at sometime in your life that you have come to a door and you have the choice to open it or move on. Well, I feel like I am stepping through a doorway. I am not sure what is on the other side but I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to find out.
I look forward to landing in Paris and seeing Jean-Luc’s family. I feel in a way like I am coming home.