I wanted to talk to you about my first trip to France after many years…

It was before we had our son. My partner and I had decided to go on a cycling vacation. And what better country to choose than one with a cycling tradition (and drivers who respect the safety of cyclists)? So, yes, we chose France.

We headed towards La Bretagne, planned to leave the car on a camping ground, and make a 3-week-long Tour of our own. Besides great cycling and beautiful views, our plan included impressive prehistoric megalithic monuments, galettes de sarrasin (delicious local pancakes), and cidre (only in the evening).

I was so excited. Not only because of our Tour, but also because it was my first trip to the country where I was born after a very, very long time. Twenty or so years had passed since I visited the country where I spent my childhood.

After a long drive, we came to our starting point. After a good night’s sleep, we packed our cycling bags, went to the bakery to get breakfast, and the adventure started.

Every new day was a delight for all our senses. My eyes were full of beauty. My legs (and both gluteus maximus) hurt.

Every bite, every sent made some childhood memory come back…

And then, there was the language … I was finally speaking French again! I enjoyed every word I said, listened to the melody of the language, took every opportunity to ask people for directions, recommendations for restaurants, and things to see …

A few days passed, and suddenly I realized something had happened to me. Something had changed, deep inside. What was it?

I was feeling WHOLE. Again.

As if for twenty years, a part of my brain had been sleeping … And speaking French – had reawakened it.

I bet you enjoyed drawing as a kid. It was a natural thing to do, wasn’t it? A state of happy flow. Then, maybe something happened, and you stopped …

But playing with crayons, paint, brushes, and fingers TODAY brings those happy feelings to life. Again and again.