When Erik, my nineteen-year-old son strongly suggested, “Get a life Mom,” I thought he was just hinting to get off the pity-potty and get over it. After all, I was a widow living alone, my daughter was happy in her home, and Erik, a competitive ice skater was “doing his thing,” living and training in Colorado Springs, so why not? I had to face the painful fact that I was redundant – out of work and unneeded. Sound familiar empty nesters?
But it didn’t take long to learn that Erik was far more savvy than I had given him credit for. He wanted to see me pursue my painting career, but knowing how thickheaded stubborn I am, he realized as cruel as he sounded, it would take this and maybe more to get my tushy moving!
He was right because it worked, and I am forever grateful for those four benevolent words firmly uttered by my caring, prematurely wise son. So, with his advice and encouragement this rapidly aging bird and her miniature dachshund flew the coop via TWA, leaving the tear-soaked “Empty Nest” in the California dust while joyously migrating to Paris, France!
I am completely honest when telling of my crazy adventures as an expat in Paris, and believe me, while spending twelve of those years with my wealthy and loving “ fancy-man,” Pierre – I’ve had more than a few!
As an artist spending much of my time walking around the city, sitting in cafes, sketching and studying my future subjects, I had an uncanny knack for getting into trouble. For instance, drunks and putes (prostitutes) have accosted me; pickpockets regularly mugged me; and I survived an accident on my motor scooter (a thoughtful gift from Pierre). I also flipped head over heels down a granite stairway, and was mowed down, tossed for a loop by a delivery truck – while standing on the sidewalk!
Surviving all this and much more, I still wouldn’t trade my fourteen wonderful, interesting, often challenging years in Paris for anything in the world. It was an experience to say the least! When I face my maker, I would like to know that I’ve “tested the water.” I tried my best by giving it everything I had (without hurting anyone), while stubbornly reaching for many of the fantastic and unusual gifts life has to offer.
I’ll just sum it up in the words of Mame: “Life is a Banquet, and most poor bastards are starving to death.” I guess that says it all, and besides, I would much rather be remembered as eccentric -- than boring!
But it didn’t take long to learn that Erik was far more savvy than I had given him credit for. He wanted to see me pursue my painting career, but knowing how thickheaded stubborn I am, he realized as cruel as he sounded, it would take this and maybe more to get my tushy moving!
He was right because it worked, and I am forever grateful for those four benevolent words firmly uttered by my caring, prematurely wise son. So, with his advice and encouragement this rapidly aging bird and her miniature dachshund flew the coop via TWA, leaving the tear-soaked “Empty Nest” in the California dust while joyously migrating to Paris, France!
I am completely honest when telling of my crazy adventures as an expat in Paris, and believe me, while spending twelve of those years with my wealthy and loving “ fancy-man,” Pierre – I’ve had more than a few!
As an artist spending much of my time walking around the city, sitting in cafes, sketching and studying my future subjects, I had an uncanny knack for getting into trouble. For instance, drunks and putes (prostitutes) have accosted me; pickpockets regularly mugged me; and I survived an accident on my motor scooter (a thoughtful gift from Pierre). I also flipped head over heels down a granite stairway, and was mowed down, tossed for a loop by a delivery truck – while standing on the sidewalk!
Surviving all this and much more, I still wouldn’t trade my fourteen wonderful, interesting, often challenging years in Paris for anything in the world. It was an experience to say the least! When I face my maker, I would like to know that I’ve “tested the water.” I tried my best by giving it everything I had (without hurting anyone), while stubbornly reaching for many of the fantastic and unusual gifts life has to offer.
I’ll just sum it up in the words of Mame: “Life is a Banquet, and most poor bastards are starving to death.” I guess that says it all, and besides, I would much rather be remembered as eccentric -- than boring!
