Always Room for More Love

My Loves - Vinz, David (The Young Intern), and Stephane at Le Vaisselier, Bayeux.

When I saw the film Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, I wrote an entire story about what it meant to me. In just these last few weeks I was reminded of a part in the film that I had not mentioned in my first story.

The family’s matriarch – played so brilliantly by actress Lainie Kazan in all three Greek Wedding films – has recently lost her husband, and she has dementia. When an unexpected relative pops into their lives (I can’t possibly say more, everyone has to see this film!) and her children wait for her take on this, she simply says, There is always room for more love in this family.  

I adore this idea of always room for more love, and this winter it felt like exactly that was brought home to me.

Snow. Non c’e problema.

In order to reach Bayeux, France from Gubbio, Italy, last late-November, I traveled a few days by train. The morning I left, it was raining in Gubbio, with snow imminent.

By the time Daniel, my dear friend and driver, and I reached the train station for my first journey, the snow was starting to fall heavily. My first train to Ancona was delayed indefinitely, to the mutual chagrin of our new acquaintance at the station.

Before too long, I asked Daniel if he would be willing to drive me to Ancona. He looked confidently for timing on his phone, and agreed, if we left immediately. Our new friend Nadia asked if she could come with us. Of course she could.

Our all-Italian conversation in the car, plowing through the heavy snow which Daniel navigated expertly, was so much fun. The whole surprise experience was full of kindness and consideration. Nadia was on her way to Bologna, to meet her family for a concert that evening. I was on my way to Torino, my half-way point to France. It was incredibly important to both Nadia and I, to catch our connecting trains that morning.

In enough time, we reached Ancona and Nadia helped me to easily find my train. Daniel was extremely happy to have saved both the concert for Nadia, and my ultimate connection to France.

Even though his drive back to Gubbio took over two hours, Daniel seemed only delighted. He even sent me a video of his drive through the snow, photos of our homes when he finally arrived, and finally videos of their dogs playing in the snow.

The Young Intern

My dear friends here in Bayeux, Stephane and Vinz, were joined by a young man as their intern this winter. David got to spend four days in their store for a class project, just about the same time that Archie, the men’s new puppy, joined the team.

David was a bit timid at first, but as the week progressed, I noticed how he delighted in charming customers, expertly assisted with gift wrap, and absolutely loved caring for Archie.

On his last day, I noticed that he was dressed particularly sharply. The men had gifted him a new hoodie and scarf, with gratitude for his assistance that week.

Stephane told me that probably the only thing David would recall about his experience, was how much fun it was to be with Archie, the puppy.

Hmm, I was quite sure he would remember more than that, especially when I noticed how incredibly kind, generous, and loving these men were, to be his host.

That last afternoon, I took a short walk with Stephane and he told me more about this young man. David was from Ukraine, and had only been in France for about 4 years, and was here only with his mother and grandmother ... which was all Stephane knew of the family story.

Young David spoke beautiful, fluent French, a bit of English, and was lovable as all get-out. I was quite in awe when I imagined what his younger life might have been like, and also moved to tears when I realized what this last week might have meant to him.

I promised Stephane that David would most recall all of the kindness and love that was there for him, as their intern. He might not say that he got to soak all of that up, in his school report, but that week will live in his heart forever.

In my own experience, the things that live in my heart forever are often those that I get to be part of, even as a witness. Gratefully I got a few moments with David on my own daily rounds, and I really hope that our paths meet again in the future.

I’m on my way home to Gubbio shortly after these words are posted, and I so look forward to soaking up all of the love that is there for me.

And being more mindful, of how much more room there always is, for exactly that.