I am sitting in my semi dark bedroom. It's almost noon, the daylight peeking in through the slits in the curtains and the light from my laptop slowly peeling away the sleep from my eyes. It's 2009. I can hardly believe it.
If I were to say that I did not see where 2008 went that would not be a hard stretch. 2008 was a huge year for me. In all reality, 2007 and 2008 were two years that were kind of are melded together for me, a huge whirlwind of time absorbed by my life unfolding before my eyes. The birth of Maximilien, becoming a mother, turning 30, giving all that I have to give to my child and then the career change. I became a tea house owner in Paris. I became my own boss. Nine months into it, I can't believe that I have come this far.
I have been asked how I did it all? What made it all happen? My first response is my mother.
Her passing was a wake up call for me. It showed my how precious my life is and that I need to make the most of my time here among the living. I remember my Omma always telling me that I needed to go after my dreams. As a child and young adult, you say, "yes" and nod your head and go back to whatever you were doing. Today, I can still hear her voice telling me to "go for it!" and I respond back to her, I will. And I do.
How do I keep the motivation? I have my loving husband and my dear, dear son to keep me going. On days when I feel less than motivated to get up early, I think about how I want to motivate my son and show him a good example and naturally, I am up and already half way to the shower starting my day off.
Also, my customers are a huge motivation for me. I really enjoy seeing them everyday. I have weekly regulars that come, like my regular Tuesday brunch-er who orders the same smoked tea and feuillété de saumon always sending me a message the morning of to say hello and to ask me to reserve a table for one. We always talk about the new movies coming out or the news of the day. And we always have a nice laugh over what Le Parisien say our horoscope is for the day.
And then there is the doctor who comes in to get her eggs for the week because she doesn't have time to cook for herself. She always orders a végétarien avec citron and a green tea. We don't speak that much but she always gives me les bises everytime she visits and it shows me that we are friends.
Or the young mother who comes in almost every week to treat herself a nice lunch out with her newborn daughter. We exchange our experiences on what it's like to be a new mom and she shares new milestones that her daughter has acheived. I see how proud she is and I feel the same inside because I know... I was there once. And this week, she came in without her daughter and I saw a bit of sadness in her eyes. She told me that her daughter got a place in the créche by her apt and how wonderful it was for her to have her days to herself. But she did not know what to do with herself so she thought she'd come to my tea house for lunch for something familiar. Again, I knew where she was coming from and was happy to be there for her. And like every other time she has come to visit, she sat down at the same table because she knows the stroller is out of the way there even though that day she was there sans poussette. She always orders a different item from the menu each time but always a cookie et café allongée after each meal.
I've only been open for nine months and I have many more stories like this. I can't tell you how this fills my heart with so much love and gratitude. And for the first time in my life I can say outloud that I ABSOLUTELY love what I am doing with my life.
Today is the first day of 2009. In years past, I always make myself a list of things that I want to accomplish. I started thinking about this last night and stopped myself... instead I am just going to do what comes naturally. Life. Living it in the full and in the now. Whatever else comes along with it, that will be for me to see when it happens Hopefully, happy surprises.
I also want to take a moment to write a little message to the young lady who stopped by the tea house yesterday at closing and who left a lovely pink and red boquet of flowers for me with my husband. I am so utterly touched. Thank you for this lovely gesture. I wish I could have been there to recieve them myself. I hope that our paths will cross again someday soon.
I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2009 from my family to yours. May be a year full of hope, love and happiness.
It sure has been a bold and wonderful couple of years, for you and for me, too. Isn't it astonishing how your life can change, sometimes by choice and sometimes very unexpectedly -- like changing lunch into brunch and discovering a slightly used tea house for sale? Next thing you know, your life has changed again! I'm glad we've gotten to be friends and been able to share some of our respective life changes together. With a little luck and my fingers crossed, maybe 2009 will bring a few big changes and new "projects" my way (to add to the ones I got in 2007 and 2008!) Happy New Year, dear friend, and I'll see you soon (with Reese's PB cups in tow!)
Posted by: The Bold Soul | January 01, 2009 at 15:00
Happy New Year, Aimée! I've enjoyed getting to know you through your blog and to see Paris through your eyes over the past couple of years. Meeting you at your teahouse last June was lovely, and I hope to see you there again this spring. All the best for another year of life's adventures and riches -- may it include some tranquil moments as well!
Posted by: materfamilias | January 01, 2009 at 16:19
Happy New Year! As Mere (my father's mother) taught me to say, "Bonne Année, Bonne Santé". Reading this blog entry, makes me feel so proud of you, Julien, and Max. Your Omma is feeling proud today, too, I'm sure.
your Ah-ppa
Posted by: SuBon | January 01, 2009 at 17:32
what a lovely bunch of stories! i so want to visit your tea house :) if only paris were a lot closer! have a happy and healthy 2009!
Posted by: gleek | January 01, 2009 at 17:39
I've enjoyed reading your honest and heart-felt posts this past year. I wish you a happy 2009!
Posted by: Elaine | January 01, 2009 at 20:56
Aimée, congratulations on your impressive 2008 and all best wishes to you, your family, and your business for 2009.
Through other French bloggers including Leesa and Lisa, I've read your developing story and blog from time to time. You're doing a wonderful job as a mother and a business person, and I hope to visit your charming L'Oisive Thé on a future visit to Paris.
Cheers and Happy New Year from Australia.
Posted by: Carolyn | January 02, 2009 at 01:42
I started reading your blog since the beginning of my pregnancy and now my daughter is already 16 months old. I truly enjoy your blog and it seems like I was there watching Max growing up. Even though I don't leave comment often (the last time was when you first opened your tea house), I wish you, Max, and your family all the best in 2009. Happy New Year, Aimee.
Posted by: Elaine L | January 02, 2009 at 05:10
Dear Aimee,
I am grateful for your blog. Although I have not had the pleasure of visiting l'Oisive The and meeting you in person, I will be moving to Paris in 2009... and very soon, I know I will be a regular customer as well!
Your blog has always touched me. I love the way you write about your life, your mother, your son and your family. I always look forward to your posts, as I feel like I am reading a book which never ends. Although the circumstances of my life are different than yours, I too am a dreamer following my dreams. This year, both my mother and I will move to Paris together! It is a realization of a lifelong dream come true for both of us. I am sure your mother is watching over you every day. Your accomplishments inspire us all.
AND, thanks to Put Your Flare On and l'Oisive The, I've gotten back to my knitting again! :)
Bonne Année to you and your family!
Stephanie
New-Yorkaise - Parisienne
Posted by: New Yorkaise - Parisienne | January 02, 2009 at 13:52
What a wonderful inspiring blog. You have the secret to living a positive life. I've always said that 'living in gratitude can change your life' - thank you for your wonderful inspiration - i will be back for more!
www.happyheartprincess.blogspot.com
Posted by: stoney | January 02, 2009 at 16:42
What a lovely post Aimee!
Happy New Year to you three as well! Hope 2009 is wonderful, successful and happy!
Posted by: Kathryn | January 04, 2009 at 11:33
Hi Aimee!
Wishing you all the best for the future in all your endeavours.
I also have a son that was Max's age 16 yrs ago - how the time flies! Hug and kiss him every day. Before you know it, he'll be a teenager who prefers his own space!
By the way, I'm having a greatly anticipated reunion with 3 friends in Paris for a week who haven't seen each other for 27 years - your tea house is a 'must visit'- never mind the museums!
Hope to see you in March and thanks for a lovely blog.
Posted by: Idk | January 04, 2009 at 12:44
Aimee, through a happy accident, perhaps via Kimchimamas or perhaps googling hapa, mama, creative, camera, travel.....I found putyourflareon. I've been inspired by your images, the glimpses of your life. They are reminders of living life as we want to love living it. If we are all truly part of the greater US, I thank you and your mother for the warm, creative and positive light given. Commsahmnida!
Posted by: spicymamasf | January 05, 2009 at 21:39