Vous etes ici
Vous etes ici. You Are Here. This is a concept we have often struggled with, as a family and as individuals, throughout our lives. We want to live in the present, notice small things, enjoy our time together — instead of constantly thinking of the next big thing, wishing time away, looking to the next event on our schedule. Our strategic defense against the trend toward busyness has taken on different names over the years: Be Fully Present, Just Be, or — from a bumper sticker on my brother’s car — Be Here Now. We have turned down Saturday playdates, limited our boys’ sports, said no to opportunities we would have really enjoyed in order to protect blocks of time to Just Be as a family.
In the breathless carpool pace of Northern Virginia, it was an ideal, a pursuit, a choice.
In the remote hills of the Dordogne Valley of France, it is a reality. You Are Here. And there is not really another option.
This trail map picture was taken this afternoon in a beautiful hamlet of houses atop the highest knoll in the local area. We had taken a hike(also known as a Forced Family March) up a forested path flanked by golden meadows, picked wild mint and blackberries, gathered handfuls of plums from the ground edging the path for dinner. The view was astounding. Vous etes ici, the sign told us. Yes, Be Here Now! Who would want to be anywhere else? I was drifting off into my happy place, comparing the map with where we had walked, appreciating the slant of the lavender bending toward the sun, listening to French chatter through windows shuttered against the blazing afternoon sun…
“MOM, can we go now?!? The men’s 10m platform diving competition starts in 20 minutes!”
So it turns out not everyone in our band of merry minstrels wants to Be Here Now all the time, even if you are in one of the loveliest parts of the world.
Vous etes ici. Like it or not.
This make me think of a quote I heard years ago. “The difference between being no where or now here, is where you put the space.”
Blessings.
Su, you are my Favorite Blogger. Ever. Miss you. But glad you are There Now. Xoxox
Yes!! My bumper sticker has made the blog!!! We’re famous!
We used to travel with Sam and Evie to Central America and Mexico. We wanted them to see what other cultures valued and lived out. Our first rule was “no electronics” (the parents to the kids). The next rule was “ask for directions instead of pretending you know where you are going ” (the kids to their dad). Last request: “Could we please stop going to third world countries for our summer vacations?” (Kids to mom). Final appreciations (we think) upon graduation: “You took us on trips instead of buying us cars. ” That’s right. Stay the course, Jimmy.