Gratitude in the New Year

In keeping with my “Best in 2020” article from last year, I have decided to post on the top moments of 2021. But first, some reflection …

I think we can all agree that we thought, at the close of 2020, that 2021 would be the year for getting “back to normal”. I can say that from my end, I thought we would all be traveling freely again, I thought that our news would consist of topics other than Covid, and at some point we would all be sitting together saying things like, “Wow, can you believe this time last year we weren’t able to travel/visit with friends/go to concerts/hug” etc. etc. etc. As I was in the beginning of the pandemic, when I thought it would be over in mere weeks or maybe, maybe a few months, I found myself wrong on many occasions. Still, we got through it, didn’t we? Yes, yes, we are, unfortunately, still in the thick of things, but if you are reading this post it means you have made it too.

Some days have been really, really difficult, haven’t they? Has anyone else felt the collective grief for so long that days just seem “heavier”? Being mid-winter, with shorter days and little sun, well, that doesn’t help either. As always, there is something good that comes from hard times. This time of year, with its longer periods of darkness, helps me to appreciate the light that does, inevitably, spring forth during the day. Light can actually take various forms: a rare sunny day, a nice encounter during my daily walk, a lunch with friends, a fresh, buttery, warm croissant, a piece of delicious dark chocolate, a cuddle from a furry friend. These little things seem to take on a whole new meaning now, an appreciation built from the knowledge that everything can – and does – change. The things we hold dear can be taken away so very quickly, at a rate we really didn’t know before the pandemic and with it, the subsequent lockdowns, travel bans, and the like.

And so it is, with that, that I reflect today on what I appreciated most about 2021.

Time with Family and Friends

What a gift it was to see some family members and friends in 2021. With travel restrictions and safety measures, it was not possible to see everyone I would have liked. Thanks to the wonders of video calls and social media posts, at least the majority of us were able to stay in contact virtually. I think we all learned to appreciate any actual face-to-face time. I had several wonderful experiences with family and friends both here and in the U.S. in 2021, and for that I will be forever grateful.

When I came to Brittany to spend the summer holiday, I did not know that I would be back a few months later – permanently. I took every opportunity to enjoy hikes, an apero on the beach, a visit to a magical forest, and much more. While the time seemed to go by so quickly, and at the close of the 10 week stay I was still not ready to go back to the States, I held on tight to those memories. And still do.

One of my most favorite moments was spent at the beach with dear friends, on the beach, on a clear blue sunny day. We stayed for hours, enjoying the sun and the beach and the cool water. We buried our toes in the sand and built forts and watched the sun set slowly on the horizon. It was, quite simply, lovely.

I’m grateful for old friends who have stayed by my side for decades, who have been there for every high and low. I’m thankful that I can call them at any time, day or night, after months of not talking, only to pick up right where we left off. And they know, I hope, that I will be there for them forever.

I love the friends who allow me to be my silly self as well as my professional self. Friends who I have met here in my beloved Brittany, friends who come for brunch and make frothy coffee drinks with sprinkles just for added fun …

I am thankful for family members who have supported me through the years and given me support for making such a big life change. I owe so much to them and am thankful for each moment we have together.

Hiking About Brittany

One of my favorite things to do here in Brittany is explore new trails. A few of my favorite hikes this year included St Briac and St Suliac. (I will link to those blog posts below if you care to read more about them.) I was grateful to have seen these incredible endoits when the sky was blue and the days were warm. While the pandemic was still in full force, it was such a blessing to feel some sense of normalcy and simply take a long walk. After confinement, to be able to get out and move our bodies took on special meaning this year. For the hours-long walk, all things pandemic were left behind and instead there was just a sense of calm. Nothing but the deep blue waters and the sailboats gently rocking back and forth.

Read A visit to St Suliac here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-visit-to-saint-suliac-bretagne-france/

Another high point this summer was visiting Erquy with my friend Christine. I stopped in my tracks when I first saw the turquoise water and thought for a moment I had slipped into a postcard or perhaps a poster in a travel agency. I won’t soon forget the wild purple heather that lined the coastal path or the long stretches of sandy beaches. It was truly magnificent and made me feel incredibly blessed to have chosen such a magnificent region to one day call home.

Nature

I am grateful for trees. Tall trees, short trees, wide trees, narrow trees, old trees, and little baby trees.

My favorite trees lie on a chemin that runs from the port de Dinan to Lehon. It doesn’t matter what time of day or season, the trees never disappoint.

I have always found forests to be a source of great joy. When my friend Corinne invited me to go to Broceliande with her and two friends last August, I jumped at the opportunity. To see 500 year-old trees, tall and majestic, their branches reaching high and wide was like slipping into a dreamscape.

Read more about this enchanting forest here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/the-forest-of-broceliande-where-legends-are-born/

Paris

While Brittany is where I call home, there will always be a special place in my heart for Paris. It is, without a doubt, one of the most special places on earth. Generally, when flying in from the States, I arrive in Paris in early morning, head to a hotel, and stay the day and night in the City of Light and head out by train the following day. This year, I spent time in Paris alone, with friends, and with my dad. Each trip had its own special meaning (look for a post on Paris coming up soon).

While I certainly appreciate all of the cultural activities the city has to offer, my absolute favorite thing to do in Paris is to stroll. To me, a long walk along the Seine is the perfect way to spend a good portion of the day.

As many times as I have seen her, the Iron Lady still makes my heart flutter. This year in particular, I loved watching couples spread out on their blankets, sharing un verre and good conversation. Children played about and tourists were once again huddled in groups, taking the infamous photo of the Eiffel Tower balancing on their hands. As always, men strolled about selling their shiny, colorful versions of the Eiffel Tower, others strolling about trying to get thirsty travelers to buy a bottle of water for 1 euro.

Read more about traveling in Paris here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/beyond-brittany-souvenirs-de-paris/

Really Good Food

This section could take a while. I would say my favorite meals have been taken at my friend’s home, who lovingly prepares each course by hand. Celebratory meals, soirees with friends and family … there were so many wonderful moments shared with loved ones here. I am truly blessed in terms of my friends – near and far. To break bread with those we love, well, that just makes everything taste better, doesn’t it?

I am also blessed to live in a region with really, really good food. Being so close to the ocean affords me the luxury of fresh gifts from the sea. This is a new delight for me, as I lived as a vegetarian for over 20 years and ate little seafood before coming to Brittany. Now, I get to sample a variety of new dishes, from seafood to galettes and crepes and tartiflettes.

Winter in Brittany

Three years ago, before I lived here full time, I flew into France the day after Christmas and was able to see the tail end of the holiday season. This year, as I arrived mid-November, I witnessed the towns in this area go from charming to dazzling over the course of a few weeks.

From an abbey built some 800 years ago to cities rebuilt after WWII, the festive decor made everything much more joyful. There is just something about light – especially brightly colored lights – that bring about a sense of hope. Don’t you think?

I found it especially endearing that each town had its own mailbox for Pere Noel. How long it must take him to read all of the letters sent in by children (and maybe some adults?). It’s a wonder that he is able to not only read them all, but ensure that the elves get busy straight away to prepare those bikes, dollhouses, video games, and the like before Christmas Eve. If only we could all be that productive!

I will admit that by the end of the year, and after several weeks of being knee-deep in administrative tasks related to changing countries, I was ready for a long winter’s nap. I found it impossible to meet up with friends for the holidays. I did, however, get out and about a few times for some lovely strolls about. I look forward to being more settled next year so as to get out and explore a bit more.

Visiting nouveaux endroits

I’m grateful for road trips to new and interesting places, like castles that are under 30 minutes from my home …

For additional information about castles in Brittany, read my blog post here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/must-see-castles-in-brittany/

And I love that as I drive down the narrow country roads, there is a good chance that I will spot a menhir or dolman along the way …

and certainly a plethora of fishing villages where sailboats lie in waiting for high tide and seagulls circle overhead …

My Little Lovey

I’m especially thankful for this little monkey, who has my heart wrapped around her ever growing paws.

She makes my walks along the river ever more interesting. Today, we met no less than 21 people on our walk (I counted) and 5 dogs. She reminds me to stay in the present and be absolutely mesmerized by every. little. thing. that crosses our path. Yes, it might take us an hour and a half to walk what used to be a 20 or 30 minute walk, but that is OK.

Now, I must say that it is not the best idea to get an 8-week old puppy just after moving to a new country and starting a new life. I say this because relocating anywhere is a rather big and overwhelming thing to do. Moving several thousands of miles away from everything you’ve known for 50 some years is rather daunting after all. To take on ALL that comes with a puppy 3 weeks after moving …. well, I can’t say I would recommend it. Then again, she is pretty darn sweet, a wonderful walking companion, and a snuggle bug.

Stella and I are navigating the waters of this new life together, and I’m happy to have her as my shipmate.

My Visa

Last, but certainly not least, is getting my long-stay visa. While I will touch on the process somewhat here, in an upcoming post, I invite you to read my first article in a series about a move abroad at MyFrenchLife: https://www.myfrenchlife.org/2022/01/19/moving-to-france-taking-the-plunge-i/ . If you are not already aware, I am an acting Contributor for MyFrenchLife magazine and have agreed to share my thoughts on my move- the good, the bad, and the ugly. (I have also written several other articles and you can find them at by searching for my name https://www.myfrenchlife.org/?s=Amy+Gruber .)

As you can imagine, the day I got off of the plane to finally – finally – started my life here was as intense as it was magnificent. Throughout the last two months, I have had moments of extraordinary relief and intense loneliness and overwhelm. I have had magical times and several meltdowns. It’s all part of the process and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. This is something I have wanted – even just to try – for many, many years. It took a LOT of work to get here, and I am so proud of myself for finally taking the leap of faith that it will all work out exactly as it is supposed to.

So, friends, I leave you here for now. I would like to express my sincere thanks to you for continuing to read and share my blog. I hope you can understand why I have posted less frequently the last several months as I was working full-time, managing a potential then real – move, and all that goes along with both. I do appreciate your patience and understanding.

Please tell me what you are grateful for. I would love to see the comments section flooded with positivity!

Be safe and well,

Amy, from Tales from Brittany

Additional Information and Articles:

The Best of 2020 https://talesfrombrittany.com/best-of-2020/

On Gratitude https://talesfrombrittany.com/on-gratitude/

When is the Best Time to Visit Brittany France? https://talesfrombrittany.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-visit-brittany-france/

Dinan https://talesfrombrittany.com/spend-a-day-with-me-in-dinan-brittany/

Hiking the GR34 trail (Erquy and more) https://talesfrombrittany.com/hiking-through-brittany-france-on-the-g34-trail/

Lehon https://talesfrombrittany.com/things-to-see-and-do-in-lehon-bretagne-france/

St Malo https://talesfrombrittany.com/saint-malo-and-les-rochers-sculptes-de-rotheneuf/

#bretagne #Dinantourisme #unjourenBretagne