As the world turns

As the world turns, Selfridges, London.

Ten years ago today, David and I met in New York. A few months later, my daughter Jordana and I moved to London. A year after that, we moved to Paris, for David's job with an international organisation. Jordana attended high school at the American School of Paris and I resurrected my college French and struggled to adjust to French logic. It was my first experience not working for a salary since age 16; initially I didn't appreciate the loss of steady income and control. To lift my spirits, I began frequenting brocantes, flea markets and antiques shops. Soon our apartment was filled with an eclectic collection of art and antiques.

After discovering the endless bureaucracy required to get married in Paris, Jordana, David and I flew to Santa Fe, N.M. Our wedding ironically was at (French) Archibishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy's private chapel. Jordana's friend Vince played acoustic guitar, while she sang Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall Behind."  A dozen friends witnessed the happy occasion and later joined us for dinner at the Inn of the Anasazi.

We traveled to many, many places in Europe and the US.  At home in Paris, David honed his cooking skills as we hosted hundreds (!) of guests. I became a fan of rugby and horse-racing at Longchamp (although I never bet on horses; just admire and photograph them).  My daughter went off to college in the US.

I started this blog and picked up a camera for the first time in many years. I took Eurostar to London at least once a month. I worked on my novel. I wrote poetry. I campaigned for Barack Obama and worked on human rights initiatives. I had a few health woes, but was lucky to have quality medical care in both Paris and London. I studied Spanish in Seville, Spain and photography in London.

I have lived in Paris longer than any city in my adult life (followed by San Francisco and New York). Ten years ago, when David was a guest speaker at an e-commerce conference (at the World Trade Center) and I a writer, covering the conference, I wouldn't have imagined this life. It's had its ups and downs, but for the most part, it's been rich with blessings. While Paris has never felt like home to me, I know we are fortunate.  Having traveled as a journalist for much of my adult life, I've learned, as John Cage said, that "we carry our homes within us, which enables us to fly."

Balancing act, Selfridges, London.

P.S. Don't miss your chance to win a copy of Leonard Pitt's new book Paris Postcards! Go here to enter.

Comments

[Car models 2009 form middle east]

I would love to read your book when it comes out. this is such a beautiful reminder that you never know where life will take you...what a lovely ride!

[New Cars from Middle East]

Its a wonderful text!Enjoye reading your blog!Love the way it is detailed!!!

[Stephanie]

Tara, congratulations to you and David! Your life reads like a book...so happy to have been reading along with you here...

[Swirly]

I love that quote.

[amber]

Wow, again, what a life you have lived. It is inspiring to me. As always.

((warm love))

:)

[jeanie]

Dear, dear Tara. I love this post. I love the joy I hear in your words, the smile I am seeing on your face, the lilt I know is in your voice as the peace and grace that fills your soul as you celebrate a life with a wonderful man, a beautiful daughter and more talent and commitment than a bundle of people in the world all wrapped up together.

I, for one, am thrilled that you chose to share your life, your thoughts, beliefs, commitments and talents with so many of us. Thrilled to have been one of those who benefitted from David's cooking expertise and more so to have been able to spend time face to face. I see my coral and my book daily and think of you. Many smiles to you.

[Gypsy Purple-Chamara]

10 Blessed years!!!! Thanks for sharing and thanks for always being such an inspiration to me!!!!! God bless....

[leonie]

sorry, i am very far behind in my reading and i've missed your anniversary.

thanks for inviting us (welcoming us!) into your lives and sharing a part of your beautiful story with us. i hope to be seeing you for many, many more!

much love to you both

[christina]

Happy anniversary, dear friend!
Your chapters of life are beautiful!
xo

[D]

What a wonderful ten years....here's wishing for tenfold ahead!

[Yoli]

What a beautiful post my friend!

[Helen]

Congratulations on your ten years! I started a new chapter of my life a little over a decade ago as well in a new location and left behind my life as I knew it. It is adventure to start anew in a new location with a new person isn't? Balancing act...appropriate! Best wishes for many more happy anniversaries!

[ally bean]

Yours is a lovely story.

[julochka]

i so loved hearing this quick version of your story. and so funny that i just heard last week about the horrible bureaucracy of getting married in france. this is such a beautiful reminder that you never know where life will take you...what a lovely ride!

[Rebecca]

What a lovely story. You have been so fortunate, it's true, and it's wonderful to see someone who fully appreciates their blessings. But it's evident that you've made some difficult choices, too, and a lot of your blessings have come from those decisions. It's important for all of us to remember that, while we do not have any control whatsoever over a lot of what life throws at us, we are always free to choose how we will deal with the opportunities that are presented to us...even those that are disguised as hardships.

I hope your next 10 years are delightful.

And thank you so much for that quote at the end. It's not one I was familiar with and I love it.

[Allegra Smith]

You and David deserve the best of everything and you know that comes from the heart. A toast to happiness, to the next multiple of ten to the tenth filled with joy, adventure, love and good health.

[Peter]

Congrats on the ten years Tara! Quite a story.

May the next decade be just as fulfilling.

[judith]

Tara ... .
I knew you had a Santa Fe past, but didn't realize you were married here. Your story is a great example of being open to forks in the road and allowing life to unfold as it will.
Not always an easy path - but one which provides great layers of interest & enchantment.
Jjjj

[Marilyn]

Thanks for sharing your story very briefly. Now I would love to read your book when it comes out. Losing control financially has been a difficult thing for me to adjust to in retirement, but I am trying to tell myself that I am still so fortunate to have the life I do. Take care and I hope your health issues are being taken care of. And spending time having David cook for us was a delight this year.