Why 2 months don't bother me

First of all you all must know that I’m officially unemployed! But don’t worry, I wasn’t fired; no, I finished my contract at the end of April with my school. Finishing at La Closerie gave me a wonderful feeling of completeness. It was somewhat like when you finish a good, long book. You’re happy to have read it, learned great things from it, it’ll stick with you, and you might just revisit it in the future. I’m also asking myself, “What do I read now??!” But for the next two months I’ve got plenty of quality things to do.

I’ve really put down some roots here in Bretagne. There’s no doubt about it that this year I’ve been flat out BLESSED with a big ‘ole B. With all the good things that have come my way, there’ve been several occasions where I’ve been reminded of how much I receive that I don’t merit. Make’s me quite thankful for all the free things I receive, and I mean this from the tritest to the deepest of graces I benefit from.

One of those smaller things which I’ve appreciated is welcoming bus drivers. I know that I’ve sung my ballads of thankfulness to the T-bus before, but bear with me. I see the same couple of bus drivers almost every day and one of them looks like Santa Claus before his hair went white. He’s really kind in a grandfatherly sort of way. Upon my last descent from the large green bus I told him thanks for his kindness. Really not a big deal. He responded, “It was a pleasure” (normal) and after added a very un-French response of giving me a little shoulder pat. I think that often we don’t realize what we’re doing for other people on a daily basis through our smiles and our hello’s.

Besides thanking bus drivers one thing I feel is a valuable use of my time is singing with a very informal choral called “Let’s Gospel.” We’re the students from Sister Act II only we don’t have their talent. I guess the only similarity is that we sing “Oh Happy Day.” Among things I didn’t know I’d do in France, singing Gospel songs in a bar is one of them. I guess that willingness to invest oneself in creative ventures can lead down some interesting paths.

Well this is not a “What I do in Bretagne” blog (that’s been done). I just wanted to let you know that I’m feelin’ good, France decided I could stay longer than it originally wanted me to, and I’m happy to have time to ride in buses, sing in bars, and eat as many baguettes as humanly possible.

God bless.
Lawrence