Friday, October 17, 2008

comme une petite fille

Every time I voyage en France, someone follows me.
At least I like to think she is following me,
it might be the other way around.

I can hear her softly singing in the background

Geez, I get tired of hearing that. I think it's the only
French she knows.


Kids, they believe in imaginary people.
Always our first night in France she stands at the window,
gazing at the rooftops. She tells me Peter Pan will be
arriving soon to whisk us off to NeverNeverLand.
I smile and let the words "Grow Up" go
unspoken. She'll hear them soon enough.
No harm done in playing along in her make
believe world.


Her mother always told her she was a princess, so
really no surprise that she would love a place full of
castles and carousels.

I guess that is why I always allow her to tag along.
She's not a lot of trouble, just slows me down a bit.
I have learned over the years to schedule appointments
with proper playtime in between.


She insists we stop and peek in all the windows.

We have to throw pennies and play in fountains.
She embarrasses me at times with her childish
play. People look at me like I'm the foolish one,
splashing in the water. It's almost as if they don't see
her.

Then there are the Patisserie Shops. More than
one choice makes it impossible to decide, so
we usually walk out with a bag full.
Children shouldn't have to make such decisions.

One good thing about her, she can entertain herself
for hours at a Parisian bistro. She is mesmerized by
simple things.

However, paying l'addition always requires that I
empty my purse of lollipops in order to find my money.
Not always easy, traveling with a child.

Actually, I have come to enjoy her company.
To see France through her eyes is a gift.
A place where yesterday and today unify
the whole.

I'm glad she follows me OR is it me following her?
It is strange really, the effect France has on me.
It has always been a place that stirs my creativity and
replenishes my soul.
A place where ancient memories live along side
new discoveries.


France is my safe haven. Must be hers too.

We have never been to France that we did not see
a rainbow. Perhaps we are both following it!
Anyway, I can't wait to see her again, that little
girl that lives inside me!

Bisou for now

48 comments:

Taddie Tales said...

Beautiful post about your daughter - you are lucky to have her as a traveling companion. As much as I don't want my little ones to grow up fast I can hardly wait to be able to travel with them with out all the "child distractions" that are still necessary at their age.

My babies sing Frere Jacques too! Their voices are so small and beautiful.

Lucky gal you are.

Taddie

Sandra Evertson said...

Really Stunning photos!
Sandra

The Vintage Husband said...

You are both so fortunate! Kids are amazing. I wouldn't trade mine for the world. Sounds like France is treating you well. Happy times to you both:)

Unknown said...

OMG the wonderful treasure you have given her....and her you.

Thea said...

What a beautiful post!! Merci!

MARIA said...

So beautiful written. You are so poetic. Thank You for all the gifts you offer us. I always take them with me.
Maria

Free Art Printables said...

Oh, that was so lovely. I do think kids can give us a whole new view on things! She is so cute!

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking that child would be you my friend! Many thanks for sharing such beauty! Stunning!!!
xo Roberta

ludmil said...

I am her big sister, right there with you, romping and scampering ,right beside you!!! Linda Marcov Willow Nest

Anonymous said...

Thank you for reminding us of the little girl inside..May we never grow to old to play..
Diana

Kathleen Ellis said...

Shawn, what a lovely post...I have that little girl inside of me, too! Isn't it wonderful to be able to see the world through her eyes from time to time? Too bad not everyone makes themselves aware of the child within...what they miss out on, huh?!
Have a beautiful weekend!

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful post, as always you make my day alittle better.

Love Your Homes said...

Chère Shawn, I also find myself mesmerized my this lovley post.
Isn't it great to still have the child's eye when exploring things.

These pictures brings the memorable time I had once in Paris as a student.
Especially the one over the roof top.

Amicalement, Ingela

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Shawn!
Can I be the little girl?? What a wonderful post! I loved every second of it. Oh to go to France, what a dream that is. The closest I can get is your photos and words and my French/English Dictionary!! (I need to learn French just in case!)
Bonjour mon ami! Sherry

sandra/tx said...

Big :-) Great post.

corine said...

one delight after another.

LiLi M. said...

Great post, a little magical!

lily-g said...

That was so beautiful and it makes me miss France even more, it really is a mesmerizing place not just for it's beauty but how ever corner you are delighted by a treat or a surprise.

lily-g said...

and you of course are the little girl!

Tea Time With Melody said...

Sandra,

This was a wonderful blog to visit this morning with my cup of coffee. You captured me with your photos and story.

Suzanne MacCrone Rogers • Italian Girl in Georgia™ said...

I always love your stories...and photographs! Thank you for sharing.

Ciao amica,

Suzanne

manon 21 said...

j'adore voir ma ville sur un blog
americain!!!!
manon

vicki archer said...

Such a sweet post and beautiful images xv.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures to go along with your journal. Thank you for the inspiration.

Oliveaux said...

So beautiful! I can hardly wait to go again. I especially love the image of the children looking in the Bonpoint window. That store is amazing and I buy my daughter something from there each time I go to Paris. Merci x

Visual Vamp said...

What a beautiful post!
xo xo

Mélanie said...

Very poetic post ! I think we all have a child into us and that helps ut to put up things, to create , to enjoy

Millie said...

Every now & then the little girl inside of me disappears under the weight of everyday life. Your thoughtful words & evocotive images have just brought her back -thank you my friend! I can almost hear the carousel music calling me now!
Millie ^_^

Anonymous said...

Hi Shawn,

Lovely photos and story. Perhaps someday you might consider writing a travel book with inclusion of your photographs.

Thanks for comment on my blog.

Cheers!

Bethany said...

Oh so sweet to have that little girl still alive with your heart...candy at all hours and shmooshing your face against the shop windows, dancing around for no reason and wearing a twirly skirt...
hope she comes with you on each and every trip to keep that fun of the journey alive!
:)

Miss Kris said...

This is just the sweetest post! I love seeing all the carousels and the goodies. It brings back so many good memories of Paris. All the sounds you simply forget. Passing a school ground walking thru Monmartre and hearing their little voices, I guess at recess or getting off the Metro on a quick visit to Musée Marmottan-Monet and passing a carousel with the little ones ringing the bell. Ohhh Merci beaucoup! ~Miss Kris~

Miss Kris said...

This is just the sweetest post! I love seeing all the carousels and the goodies. It brings back so many good memories of Paris. All the sounds you simply forget. Passing a school ground walking thru Monmartre and hearing their little voices, I guess at recess or getting off the Metro on a quick visit to Musée Marmottan-Monet and passing a carousel with the little ones ringing the bell. Ohhh Merci beaucoup! ~Miss Kris~

THE VERANDA said...

What a sweet post! And such beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Anonymous said...

Little girls are our pots o' gold at the end of the rainbow!!
D.
Gorgeous photos!!

Di Overton said...

Oh I thought it was me :)
Wonderful as ever

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post! I wanna go to Paris and points of interest in France! Maybe one day!

Merci for the beautiful photos!

My Petite Maison said...

Hi Shawn,
Beautiful views of France and beautiful words. Being able to see it anew each time, such a place of wonderment for the child inside each of us in France.
~Tracie

My Petite Maison said...

I love, love, love Keren Ann ~ thank you for reminding me to get her old CDs out again and load my iPod for tomorrow's walk. ;)

My lovely cottage said...

dear Shawn, thanks for taking me with you on this journey to france. it was good to be back. take care, and have a good weekend.

yvonne

Anonymous said...

How charming. The little one inside all of us finds a place to play. :)
Those photos were mouth-watering!

santamaker said...

Beautifully told and photographed. I love the little girls in all of us women.

blessings said...

What a lovely story. I can't wait to visit France someday! Beautiful, beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing. Blessings... Polly

Anonymous said...

This was a beautiful post, so dreamy, the way childhood should be. We should all be able to get back to that "place" when we need to. . .

Michelle

Robin said...

What a beautiful post. Thank you for the reminder not to run around not seeing things. When I travel for work (I just got back from Chciago) I often forget to really see where I am, so busy rushing from one thing to the next.

Barb said...

Hi Shawn,

What a beautiful post. I have that child inside of me and I know that feeling. Thank you for reminding us.

I wanted to thank you for your visit. You are a very wise woman and I appreciate the words of true wisdom.

hugs,
Barb

Velvet and Linen said...

Hi.
I just found your blog. It is so wonderful.
I did a post on you yesterday, I hope you don't mind.
I just felt like I needed to share you with anyone I could.
Thank you for sharing all of this with us.

Brooke

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Great...