When there’s so much you still don’t know…

S Life of "The purpose of  "A life of purpose, is as purposeful life." - Robert Byrne Happy day!,

It's been a longtime. I’m writing this email from the train, "The Orient Express" heading from Antibes in the South of France to Florence, Italy. This year, for the first time ever, we decided to take our two twin tween daughters on separate vacations.

The idea started brewing when I decided to attend a writing workshop hosted by my friend Laura in Italy and thought it would be neat to take my oldest daughter Maggie along. Then I figured, since we were already going to be in the general area, we should also spend some time with another dear friend, Gry, at her house in Antibes. Not wanting to be left home alone for 10 days, Chuck and my youngest daughter Annie decided that they would take a cruise together while Maggie and I were off exploring Europe.

And while this separate vacation thing may have happened accidentally, it’s been such an amazing gift. With two sets of girls so close in age, we tend to treat them like a unit most of the time, not as separate individuals with their own rights, thoughts ideas and personalities. But these past four days in France with Maggie have been so much fun, and it seems a little odd to say this, but in some way I feel like I’m finally getting to know HER for the first time. She’s so mellow, an astute observer of people and things. She’s totally comfortable with silence, and never feels the need to just talk for the sake of talking. And she is such a tween! One minute she seems so grown up, the next minute she is still just a little girl. And I really love both sides. But honestly, I think the thing that has impressed me most about Maggie is her quiet confidence. She’s not a talker, but she’s not at all shy. She’s independent self-assured and most definitely not clingy. I’ve loved watching her blossom, to hold her own in a room full of adults—even adults who speak a different language—and to not just observe, but offer to help and strike up conversations all on her own. As someone who tends to talk too much when I get nervous or uncomfortable, her ability to stay calm and poised in every new situation has inspired me. It’s eye-opening to realize that although I’ve known this girl for twelve, going on thirteen years now, though we’ve lived in the same house and talked every single day, there is so much I still don’t know. A curious thing... Mary Tyler Moore once said, “Sometimes you have to get to know someone really well to realize you’re really strangers.” Along those same lines, Penelope Lively once noted that “Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, (where they are, where their going) and who they are.” In other words? You’ll never regret the time, the quality time, you spend getting to really know the people closest to you. And so, my challenge to you this week is to spend a little one-on-one time with the people who matter most to you, and getting to know them just a little bit better. Ask questions. Listen. Observe. You might just be amazed at what you learn! AND do it before it's too late... Live with purpose, friends, and have a wonderful week! JonA-joAn xoxo,  P.S. Want to keep up with our adventures? Be sure to follow me on Instagram, or check out my highlighted Instastories in my profile! P.P.S. Don’t forget that our Summer Clearance sale ends on Sunday! This is your last chance to save up to 60% on some of our most popular items! SHOP THE SALE HERE.

xoxo, Ruth

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