I had one of those surreal experiences this afternoon. I hesitate to hope that it really means something good but I just can't help it.
Paris was beautiful late this afternoon (still is as a matter of fact) and after getting home from work I decided to take one of my coursework books and go down to the Place in front of my apartment building to read. We are among the lucky residents of Paris because we have a gorgeous park-like Place right outside our door complete with rose bushes, statuary and shady trees lining the gravel walk. As the entrance gate swung shut I spied an empty place on a sunny bench next to an old woman. I decided to not be too shy and sit down next to her. She immediately assured me that I had chosen the best spot to sit in the whole park - dappled shade sparkling with the sun and the perfect combination of cool breeze and warmth. Bien profitez she said. That roughly means "enjoy and take advantage". She spoke not a word of English and seemed about 80 years old. She had on a pretty cobalt blue dress with white polka-dots and the requisite silvery hair cut in a current style I might add. She is French after all! She was sporting white wedge-heeled sandals to boot! Quite a la mode I'd say.
I proceeded to read my book quietly. After a bit, the old woman commented that I obviously was not reading a novel - and whatever it was that I was reading was also not in French and looked serious. She proceeded to chat away about what a beautiful neighborhood it was and how lucky we were to be here. Several minutes later after more charming French small talk she revealed her "purpose"!
You did not sit here next to me by accident she said knowingly in French, You have a wonderul aura surrounding you and there are good things coming for you soon. I know it, I can feel it. You have a high forehead (if only she knew how scared I am that it may get even higher as menopausal hair thinning has struck me!) which of course means that you are very intelligent.
She repeated several times how good things were definitely on their way to me and that she was told by fate to be on this bench today so that she could reassure me of this.
Could this little old lady really read my mind and my tea leaves so clearly?? How did she know that I am in the middle of a long drawn out crisis? She told me that I had happiness in my face and in the air around me. You know what - I think that oddly she is right about that though I am afraid to say it out loud for fear that it will be snatched away. In spite of continuing anguish over my divorce and its fallout, I am happy. I feel like myself. She told me I looked like I belonged here in Paris in this perfect quartier.
You definitely are where you are supposed to be right here on the bench next to me. She pointed to the sky and nodded to me, Someone is watching over you and you are a lucky girl.
She also told me about her double hip replacements and how she now feels 20 years younger and how she unfortunately has no appetite any longer when she used to adore eating all France's good food as well as some neighborhood shopping tips. So you see the conversation was not all mystical and "woo-woo". It certainly had an aura of something though.
My daughter of course said that I had had an encounter with a crazy old woman. I like to think not........
I hope that my french comprehension was correct because I want to believe what I think this fairy godmother or guardian angel or whoever she is, just told me.
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