When the mystery is too compelling, one dares not disobey.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Ma chère Anne,
I have to write to you! September in Massachusetts is always the intersection between late summer and early autumn. The golden air is spiced with snapdragons and wild grapes. Crickets slowly chirp, the flowers give one final push of vigor and color, and I am soaking up this beauty, savoring the sunlit hours of late afternoon that will soon dim to fall's dusky coolness.
Thank you, thank you for the gift of your invitation to celebrate your marriage to Jean-Pierre last month! To be in Normandy, at Valliquerville with you and your family and friends was a sublime present, one that I will "unwrap" many times more in my life as I reminisce. I will take memories out of this lovely box, one at a time. Will it be the moment I saw you walking toward Jean and me at the train station the evening we arrived--with your arms open wide? Or will it be sipping hot coffee in the yellow kitchen in the morning? Will it be standing with you and Jean-Pierre sipping champagne in the room with the tapestry and the huge fireplace? I know it will often be the moment, when, sitting in between you and Jean in the Eglise St-Joseph in Le Havre, looking upwards at the stained glass windows soaring into the sky, I was so moved that I reached for your and Jean's hands! It will be the walking together in the garden at Varengeville, awestruck by the giant tress, the fluorescent blue of hydrangeas. Or eating our ice cream cones as we walked by the waterfront in Dieppe. Listening to the singing of the mass at St-Wandrille. Pulling nettles out of the mare! Digging out the septic tank! Whipping a vinaigrette for the evening's salad. Hauling insulation rolls to the attic. Walking in the rain, looking at the flax plants, picking up chunks of flint. Gathering wood for the fireplace. Wonderful conversations with you and Jean-Pierre and Mamie. Listening to Gaelle Marchand playing the accordeon to rejoice in your and Jean-Pierre finding each other!
I remember saying to you, that when I visit you, I always sense the presence of God.
One of the things I like most about you, is the way you like to talk about IDEAS. You're always interested in hearing about what is important to your friends. Because of this, I can trust you with my deepest thoughts about faith. For many years, I've been writing down my experiences and feelings about God and life, especially about 'abundant life' --an expression that Jesus used to describe what he offers to his followers.
Did you ever read, Le Petit prince? You must have! In the states, it's a classic for all students of French.
