Living My Best Life

We are home, and it is Autumn.

I am sitting outside, feeling the warm sun on my back and a cool breeze on my face. The leaves dance in the gentle wind, swirling gracefully into the river. The landscape around me is a stunning canvas of gold, red, orange, and amber. Wrapped in cozy clothing, I fully embrace the comforting essence of Autumn. I am home, and in this moment, everything feels right in my world.

Almost two weeks have passed since I returned, and I find myself lingering, hesitant to rejoin life as it was. This transition is far more challenging than my departure.

My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I feel a deep joy in being home, yet a tinge of sadness haunts me for leaving France so abruptly. I cherish the rich experiences of my travels and the meaningful moments shared with Tom. However, the recent loss of my brother-in-law weighs heavily on my heart. As I look forward to the joy of upcoming family celebrations and holidays, I feel a little overwhelmed by the responsibilities they bring.

I find myself thinking of the toast my daughter shares when our wine glasses clink: “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.” There is no doubt that I am living my best life. Even my challenging moments are graced with beauty and meaning. The best life could not be appreciated without the challenges, and I am grateful for what they have given me.

We walked through the sacred sites of Normandy, and I was deeply moved by the profound meaning of the word “sacrifice.” Although I can only imagine what life was like during that time, I gained a greater understanding of how truly challenging it was and the depth of the sacrifice. Those were incredibly difficult times, and yet it was here that everything began to change in Europe during WWII.

Our journey in France was breathtaking; every moment felt extraordinary. The struggles I faced in the beginning and my eventual surrender near the end made everything in between worthwhile. There were moments when this seemed hard, but I have learned much and would not trade the struggle for anything. I am deeply grateful for this time and appreciate how it has contributed to my best life.

The unexpected change in our plans and leaving the tranquility of Conques to deal with the pressures of last-minute travel was nothing compared to the thought of not being able to be with Tom’s brother Bob in his final days.

The best life isn’t one that lacks challenging moments. Instead, it’s about getting through those difficult times and emerging with a different perspective that allows us to truly appreciate the good ones. Life is too short to worry about the small things, and most things are small in the grand schemeI. I feel incredibly enriched and blessed every day. While not every moment is easy, I believe tough times are not inherently negative; they may be challenging, but such experiences are simply a part of life. Without these challenges, I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate that I am living my best life.

We are home, and it is Autumn.

I look forward to sitting by the fire with you.

You are loved.