There and Back Again

Pondering: Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished; if you’re alive, it isn’t. (Richard Bach)

It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon and I’m sitting here at the main fountain of the Jardin des Tuileries. Today, my sister and I decided we will walk all around Paris. We’ve just walked from Saint Michelle, near the Notre Dame Cathedral, following the River Seine all the way to the Palais de Royale. We’re taking a break before walking towards Tour Eiffel and then Trocadero where will catch the Metro back to Denfert Rochereau.

The sky is bright and cloudy at the same time. Lots of people are gathered around the fountain - tourists resting from all the walking around the Louvre Museum or Palais de Royale, and locals having a weekend picnic with their children.

Toy boats that kids can rent from an entrepreneurial Parisian standing nearby share the fountain with the lazy ducks that swim in unison. The sails of the boats are a mixture of colors, vivid, charming and memorable. Camped next to me is a German family having lunch. The youngest kid who looks like a Hummel figurine, likes to throw a tantrum every now and then and stops when Mum and Pa don’t pay him any attention. To my left is my sister zoning out, contemplating events of the day.

Life is good sometimes. This is one of those times.