Mom in France

Opening Hours

I definitely don't know why the official opening hours at this wine shop in my village are so precise.  I figured there must be some sort of weird tax reason because surely they don't abide by these exact hours. 

American Import

You'll think I'm naive, I know.

A few months ago the Jehovha's Witnesses came to our gate.  Lucky for me that the standard household setup where we live doesn't involve a front-door.  All houses are surrounded by walls or high-hedges are are entered through and automatic gate with a intercom.  When they buzzed I was able to let them hear screaming Boo in the background and they left me alone.  For awhile.

When they came back, on a late spring saturday morning, I was home alone with Boo in the garden.  This time I spoke to them face to face, bascially telling them that we already go to chruch, that Boo was baptized and that we were happy thanks very much.  They were an older couple,completely french.  They had both grown up in this region and could trace their history several generations back. They were epitome of chuch-people.  They were quick to open their bibles and quote.  They were friendly and nice.

The next time they came, some sort of discussion started in earnest.  And I realized that they were in for me, and that it would never stop until I stopped it.  My big mistake was that I read the introductory tract, something like "What the Bible really teaches," and I was ok with most of the common love-your-neighbor themes until I got to the part about not celebrating Christmas.  The argument they had laid out was that all of their beliefs were backed up by Bible reference.  But here was one that was supported because there was no explicit instructions to celebrate Christmas.  Ah ha!  I thought.  I've go them now. 

Of course, you can't change what people believe.  Next time they came around I was prepared, and although I knew I might take awhile, it would be their last visit.  I explained that a) I didn't have time to keep talking with them, b) I already am happy thanks very much, and c) I don't agree with their beliefs.  Of course I tried not to mention that last one, but out it came and I had to discuss and argue with them for a few minutes before they went on their way, for good.

Moving to another country has made me more open, more willing to listen even when I don't agree just to learn more, to be sure I understand.  And to decide for myself when to say yes, and when to say enough's enough.  I think before I was more willing to go along with the crowd, and I'm glad now to see that I've changed.  Even if I ended up arguing with the witnesses.