When I stepped onto the streets of Paris this morning, I could hear the drop of a pin, the backfire of a car, the ringing of the church bells…. and perhaps some of this:
We did the usual… a run to the grocery store, a few hours of park time. No matter where we went, signs read (in French of course) “Closed until…..” Everything from the hair salon, bakery, butcher, florist, and most of our neighbors are on vacation. 
I am not complaining. I love the rustling of the leaves down the deserted streets, the spacious feel of the abandoned sidewalks, and the empty park that is typically brimming with nannies and French children. 
There is so much going on in my mind since our return to Paris… processing being home and all that comes along with seeing family and friends, learning of how their lives have changed over the last six months. Truly understanding the direction I want to take with this blog, my family, my life. 
There is the good. I passed my mental health licensing exam which means I can now apply for my license to practice therapy in Massachusetts. It’s a great stepping stone for some big plans I have for my career. I no longer feel the need to try to ease back into the life I had before I left… a secret hope I had been clinging to, which truly was impeding my ability to embrace this life… my expatriate life in Paris.
The bad. I am coming to terms that things and people aren’t always as perfect as I want or need them to be. We cannot exist in harmony… learning and self-actualization comes from mistakes.
The ugly. My baby isn’t a baby anymore. He turns 3 on September 3rd and starts school on September 4th. While we were stateside, my mom threw a “welcome home/birthday” party for us. My son ran around with the big kids, enjoying his cousins and the all-American picnic spread. I didn’t have to hover over him while he played…. prompt him to open presents, or blow out candles. He is a boy now. (Bracing for mom tears!)
Hope everyone has been having a great summer and soaking up those rays!
I missed you guys.
Wow. I can relate to this on so many levels. My 2 year old will soon be 3 as well. It feels weird for sure. Didn’t realize you were in the mental health field too. We should talk more and share ideas about how to keep up with our clinical skills.
We just got back to Paris from a road trip around Germany and when the went to stock up at the store today I only passed about 15 cars on my journey! Very weird, but kinda nice. Welcome back to Paree
I noticed in one of the photos of HJ that he’d turned into a little boy, instead of your baby!
So he starts school then. That’s always a tearful moment.
More free time for mom though.
Ahhh so much to process!! Life has a funny way of continuing on, doesn’t it? Where’s the pause button? And while we’re at it, where’s the do-over button? Hang in there, momma, I hear it only gets better
Can you imagine all the shops in Connecticut just…closing for vacation? That would be amazing! And kind of awful. I hope you come to some conclusions about your feelings – and let me know when you stop living your glamorous life in Paris so we can be real life friends more than once a year.