Bon Fin- A Good End

The Marche de Noel is empty now

My cold is in the departing stages now, and for that I am grateful.  It's well timed that it should leave with 2013. I know that it's cliched to take stock of the year, but I have been doing just that, and don't really give a fig for who thinks it's hokey.

Dismantling some of the amusements of the season

One of the things that I have learned is to ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. Everyone here is thrilled to be of help. And I never know the turns the conversation will take.  More than ever, I am learning the wisdom of being receptive to what others have to teach me.  It's no longer important for me to tell them what I know--and critical that I let them tell me what they know.

Today I asked the clerk in the papieterie to tell me the French word for ladybug....it's coccinelle for anyone who wants to know...and that provoked a 10 minute chat about the end of the year.  She told me that here people wish one another a "bon fin"-- a good end, more than wishing one another a good New Year.  I don't think it's because they don't want one another to have a good new year, but rather that they want to stay in the moment.  First, have a good here-and-now. We'll turn our attention to the new year when the new year gets here.  It's not a bad way to look at life.

Calm and still reindeer ride

The reveillion--the New Year's Eve celebration--is quite a source of pride to the French.  They spare no expense for the meal for family and close friends.  I was watching a news program the other day and the reporters were asking people what they were spending on the meals.  It was not uncommon for people to spend 40-60 Euros PER PERSON on the food. And that's not counting the champagne, an acceptable bottle of which will cost 30-40 Euros, even here, where it's produced. 

My own fete will be considerably more modest.  I am taking stock of all the good things of 2013, and there are too many to count.  I think 2014 will be equally blessed, but I will let it take care of itself in its own good time. First, I wish  a bon fin for me and for all my friends and family.