French folks have quite a reputation for being rude.  Last year, I noticed the Spanish so obliging that I felt humbled.  If they didn’t speak another’s language, they did what they could to communicate and be so very helpful.

Now, reputation aside, what I have discovered here is an extremely friendly France.  No one has uttered an unkind or rude comment (not that I would know!), and frankly, I’ve felt quite welcome here, especially by the older folks in the country.  I even noticed a kind of excitement when they heard my accent.  The expression, “A Yank!” or “Yaunkey!” wasn’t with disdain, as a pejorative, but rather a bit of “Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.”

But how could this be so?  Clearly, it wasn’t because of the money I’ve been dropping here.  The pilgrim travels in an austere fashion, often sleeping in an alberge for 12€ a night.  Could…

Today´s weather was just miserable, cold, windy, rainy, but I just really felt good.  It must have had something to do with the story Peter shared with me last night.  The wonderful night´s sleep in a room with 15 others, 2 or 3 always snoring allowed me to consciously process what he had said.  Wow, if he feels like he´s got so much to be thankful for, I REALLY do.

I am truly blessed with a wife that thinks I mean the world to her.  I have loving, incredible kids.  All of them.  I got to walk 19 years with our dear Cullen.  I have the utmost confidence that our loving God has him in His warm embrace in paradise.  I have a great job, I do for a living what many dream of, what I´ve always wanted to do.  I have a supportive family and a medical practice that allowed me…