Saturday Morning Manna
I took a hiatus from SMM last week because of my travels, but now I’m back!
This past week marked the official beginning of Fall and has been packed with every emotion on the charts for me.
I started it off jet-lagged and exhausted from my trip to New York for the Where’s Karl? book launch (and Fashion Week) at Karl Lagerfeld’s office meeting with his right-hand woman. Needless to say I was pretty nervous going into the rendez-vous but jumped with utter elation when she told me Mr. Lagerfeld LOVES the book!! After many sleepless nights and stress of deadlines with my co-author and illustrator, to find out this living legend and insanely inspiring man thinks your idea and work are fantastic….it’s hard to find the words to tell you how I felt in that moment. All I can say is our book is a homage to him and I am so happy he is pleased with it.
Then Martha Stewart was photographed with our book because she loves it too! This just kept my happy ball rolling.
However that ball fell off a cliff when I got the odd-hour call from my brother in Texas that my 97-year old grandmother had passed away. I went from joy to grief instantly.
When you live far away from your family and someone dies, grief washes over you with a nice sprinkling of loneliness and isolation. The only connection you have to sitting with the family and friends to be sad and tell funny stories is a virtual seat via iMessages and Facebook. It is horrible.
Even though she was my grandmother, and the only grandparent I ever knew, she was also a mother to so many people and I always had to share her. I racked up a few air miles, so hopefully I can make a quiet trip home to celebrate her life. Would love to hear how you guys have dealt with loss when you are alone and far from family.
Here are a few links I found interesting this week and some weekend suggestions. Enjoy!
Bisous xx,
Ajiri
Links:
I never tire of reading about what expats think about their life in France.
So the 35-hour work week is not working out huh?
This was a good laugh this week.
Oxtail is my favorite meat and I am excited with the colder weather to try some of these recipes.
Some interesting facts about the the arrondissements of Paris is perfect to drop on your visitors.
If you or someone you know is looking to buy a home in Europe.
Well if this is true my daughter is well on her way to success.
In case you missed it, this Q & A by Hayley Enright has been wildly popular on MANNA.
As usual I am behind on my fall shopping for my little lady, but this will be in the basket for sure.
This weekend:
DONT FORGET: From 11am – 6pm this Sunday Paris will be car free! Get out and enjoy the pollution free air.
The weather should be pleasant this weekend, so try out the annual Fête des Jardins. Check out the program to find out which gardens and activities are closest and interesting to you.
Or enjoy eating your way through the Fête de la Gastronomie Parisienne and then bike it off while there are no cars on the streets Sunday.
I guess Parisiennes know all about letting things go for fall because there are many vide greniers this weekend.
The way I deal with loss when I am far away and my budget will not allow, I look to my higher power to help those that are grieving and to also encourage me in my grief.
It is also difficult when you are far away from your Grandchildren and your children and you can not get across the miles to see them or assist them, ( especially if they are sick) I have been there many times.
Like you, I try to keep the lines of communication open and again I continue to lean on the help that is much bigger than myself.