I can’t believe it’s been nearly two weeks since I was in the magical city of Ghent. I’d wanted to write up several elaborate travel posts to somehow help you vicariously journey there with me, but the time just escaped me. Don’t you hate it when time does that? (When one minute you’re in Europe, the next you’re home celebrating Valentine’s Day, then your husband’s birthday, and suddenly the bris of the child you’d forgotten you were even pregnant with. Don’t worry, mum, the last bit is in no way based on reality, but I think everyone gets the gist of what I mean.)
This way time has of moving in leaps and bounds is ironically something Ghent seemed immune to. When my husband and I walked around this Belgian city, it felt like we were immersed in the stuff my childhood story books were made of – as though every piece of architecture should have been prefaced with “Once upon a time.” There was a medieval castle, cobblestone streets for days, and an air of quaintness to everything that bespoke fairies, spells, and dragons. No matter the constant snowfalls and freezing temperatures, the air felt crisper and cleaner than anything I had breathed in ages, and – standing still in time amidst the town squares of this Flemish city – my mind felt clearer, too. I felt so aware of the genuine slices of life that are really important – the stories I have to tell, the art I am fortunate enough to make, and the man who’s hand I’m oh-so eager to hold throughout all my timeless travels yet to come. I feel so much overwhelming gratitude that I was able to experience this awe and perspective, and – before even more time escapes me – I just want to share a bit more of Ghent’s timelessness with you in picture form…
Psst: Has time been flying for you? If so, I hope it is flapping its wings in the direction of your dreams. Wishing you a lovely weekend, dear readers! (It is that time already, isn’t it?) Leave a comment.
4 Comments
by Laine
Thank you for the journey!!! Time is flying – I’m not enjoying it nearly as much as I should. Someday, though! 🙂
by Jennifer R. Coté
On fast-paced days/weeks/years I always tell myself “someday” too, Laine. I truly hope that “someday” of enjoying time as it flies by comes soon for you – I think you’re the kind of strong-willed woman who can MAKE this time to come if only for a day out of every week, though. 😉
by kristina
ah! i can’t even stand how breathtaking these photos are cote! and time sure does fly, way too fast… especially while on vacation {not a good thing haha!} i find it quite difficult at times to just be in the moment and strangely enough almost enjoy the memories more than the actual events as they are taking place…
xoxo, kristina
by Jennifer R. Coté
I totally know what you mean about finding yourself enjoying the memories more than the actual events, Kristina! I feel like learning to live in the moment is one of those things that I’ll get better at as I age (and put a ton of conscious effort into the process). It is so hard to stop and force our minds not to move onto the next thing, though. Here’s to giving it the old college try and eventually being masters of living in the moment. 😉