La Vie en Magenta will always chronicle the precious hours that I spend with my little goddaughter Renata, who is now 5 1/2. The time we spent together in France this summer surprised me, which was exactly what I had expected. The Neverland that we share, continues to be uniquely ours.
There are so many things I could write about in this post! Renata and I spent more time together this summer than we have in a long time. Before I left for France, I made a list of things that could go right on this trip. It was a deliberate antidote to a funny list of things that could go wrong on a trip, that had been presented as a summer study tool in my online French class.
One of the things that on my right list, was that Renata and I connect in ways that surprise and delight both of us.
Again, while I could write an endless essay of what those things turned out to be, I’m sharing with you what I consider to be the Top 3.
The Bubble Tub
Gratefully, my small apartment in La Rochelle where I lived for most of my trip, was outfitted with a lovely bathtub. (Love me a great bathroom when I travel!) I adore bubble baths, and this was an entirely new experience for Renata that she positively loved.
With plenty of bath gel for bubbles, we creatively gathered bath toys -things in the apartment that were plastic. That was a spatula, ice tray, measuring cups, and two tiny Playmobil police people. We also had our own new bath glove and an Elsa-and-Anna-from-Frozen washcloth. Now we were all set!
Bathtime was about Bubble Street (the long swirl of bubbles between us) and a pop-up café window at which Renata spoke to imaginary customers in English and French. We also managed a boulangerie that made brioche in the ice tray. Bubble Tub not only cajoled and calmed before bedtime, it was our equivalent of an above-the-ground pool on scorchy hot days; we bubble-tubbed at least twice on lots of days.
A Mini Spiritual Practice
On certain Mondays, I host a (virtual) Ladies Mastermind Group. This session was scheduled for my first Monday (afternoon) in La Rochelle, and Renata had arrived that morning. I told her she could quietly watch TV during the session, or she could sit with me and join us. She opted for the latter.
The first thing I offered was a brief meditation, and Renata was right there. She closed her eyes, took deep breaths, was present and silent, and seemed to really get it. She remained present with us for the entire session, which went 90 minutes and everyone agreed that she was an excellent guest (she really was)! At the end of my trip, she recalled that as one of the special things we did together. (I went to class with you!)
This particular experience seemed to stay with her. About a week later we took a train together as part of our journey to the country, for a Sunday family party at her grandparents’ home. We had a fairly long walk to the train station, with her pink unicorn suitcase and a large stuff bag, of mine. We took interim short breaks, during which Renata led mini-meditations. Close your eyes, take a breath, count to three ... OK! And we’d carry on walking.
Adopting a Tree
At the end of my time in France, I was generously invited to stay at Renata’s family’s beach house, right near her home. She spent time with me off and on during those days, including my last afternoon when it was cloudy and a little chilly.
She wanted to walk to the beach, which is about a 5-minute walk, through a beautiful forest of sorts. She had been playing with the leaf-graced swinging vines of one tree. We took two of the leafy vines and made crowns to wear to the beach.
On the sand, she began to find smooth stones that were very pretty, and we agreed that they ought to be brought back to the tree. I told her that they could be her gift to the tree. When you take something from a tree, it’s nice to offer a gift in exchange, I told her.
Once back at the tree, she arranged the rocks in an artistic fashion at its base. Then exclaimed ~
The tree needs a hug! And bisous!
You are so right, I promised her. We both gave the tree hugs and kisses. I told her that this is her tree now, and my heart surely swelled to overflowing.
Before I followed her back to the house, I told this gorgeous tree thank you, and, take care of my little love.
Surprise and delight. Neverland never disappoints.
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