On the paths of Notre Dame du Refuge

In the paths of Notre Dame du Refuge
with Sister Marie-Madeleine Rouaux

When I was very young, at the end of the school year I only got the first prize for drawing and painting. Who does not remember the inevitable leaf of the autumn plane tree dressed in such beautiful colors, green, yellow, red, brown and so on that we had to paint on Canson paper... It was absolutely necessary to give back "the masterpiece" to the Teacher to decorate the walls of the classroom. 

Arrived at an advanced age, which we often say: the age where we return to childhood, here I became an amateur photographer, for my greatest pleasure, failing a great painter...

Art - Beauty - Nature: GOD is there on the flowery paths of Notre-Dame. Amazing stability and beauty that the nature offers us. Besides, it is free of cost, we only have to open our eyes and Contemplate it.

In the crevices of the bordering old walls the earthy, stony or sandy paths, life is there, enchanting. The small pink, purple, blue, white flowers that are so beautifully called "discreet" reveal themselves full of tenderness. The moss, the lichens, the greenish yellow parmelias form a backdrop. It is beautiful and one thinks of a discreet God, who likes to be pleased with the little ones. The lizards find their home there and languish in the sun. Hush! No noise.

It is beautiful, we say to ourselves that God loves what is small, the Little Ones, a discreet God, present in the bottom of their hearts.

THE gardens offer us their varied flowers and their fragrances. THE PINES, offering serenity and surprising discoveries of pebbles seeming to have arrived from the sea like small engraved paintings.

A high wall with old blackened stones remains, going towards Latchague, bristling with shards of old bottles. Ephemeral defense of another century. This wall offers us bright colorful niches at sunset, a light show not to be missed.

In winter, the snow covers all things, becomes silent, encompasses us, we close our eyes dazzled by so much clarity, peace descends in us ... isn't that the Divine Presence?

The old stone wall has been covered with graffiti, alas of little value, which brings us into the present moment, blurring our view and life somewhat.

But today Notre-Dame du Refuge welcomes you to the places that speak to you. Have a nive walk!

(Anglet-2020)