Dreams Really Do Come True

I actualized a long-held dream of mine by traveling to France in September. It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I spent the first 3 days in Paris, wandering the medieval streets and modern city thoroughfares, running along the Seine like a Parisian, and drinking french wine like nobody's business. Then I flew from Paris to Toulouse and took a train to a little town in the gorgeous countryside of Southern France. From there I was picked up at the station and taken to a most magical and magnificent medieval chateau outside of Lautrec which is a small medieval village with the distinction of being one of les plus beaux villages de France, one of the most beautiful villages in France. I felt like I was living inside of a fairytale the whole time I was there.

Photos of Lautrec, Midi-Pyrenees, France

I had only dreamed of going to the Musee d’Orsay and l’Orangerie since learning about them in my art history classes years ago. The d’Orsay houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist works in the world and Musee de l’Orangerie is the museum that was built specifically to house Monet’s large Waterlily paintings. Being able to stand in front and experience with the fullness of my body works of art I’d only seen tiny pictures of in text books or online was quite amazing. Pairing that with my exploration of the different Parisian neighborhoods, outdoor cafes, and croissants made for a wonderful time in Paris.

Photos of Saint Chapelle, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, and Monet’s Waterlilies

Every portion of this trip was magical. I felt like I had angels around me the whole time, guiding me, keeping me safe, and helping me have the most wondrous adventure possible. So much so the room I was given during the workshop I attended was called the Suite of Angels, which gets its name from four stone carvings of angels that were salvaged from an ancient church that was destroyed during WWII. The angels were all that survived. The It was the most amazing place I have ever stayed. Chateau de Brametoure is a 1000 year old chateau that had been uninhabited since the 1500’s and had fallen into ruin. A couple from England bought it 13 years ago and brought it back to life. The stone walls and original wooden beams and doors held so much history and mystery that I felt like a fairytale princess, or queen, sharing space with the troubadours and knights that undoubtedly climbed the same steps I did to the master suite I had the privilege of staying in.

I gave myself this trip as a gift to my little girl within. The one who still believes in magic and wonder. The one who lives in my heart and inspires me to paint and live with wild abandon. The one who is in love with Life. May you connect with your own child within and nurture her/him with all of your heart.

Love,

Amy