Fear.

If you really know mom, you know where her heart feels at home. It also happens to be where the latest "terrorist attack" occurred.

(Mom and Apu in Nice when I was riding in mom's tummy.)

As it turns out, mom got the approval email that we got the apartment we wanted in Lyon about two hours after turning on the news.  Hummmm...what to do?

Mom has never been known for being logical, or doing what 98% of the population would.  She ALWAYS has gone the less popular route and taken the risk. And you know what, it has served her pretty well. In fact, she can't think of one risk that didn't have a huge reward.  Was she terrified? Um, TOTALLY.

-Moving to France...
-Going to Moscow in 2009...practically alone...
-Starting a business she knew nothing about...
-Moving to Budapest...
-Marrying Apu...
-Having babies...

She has realized in her 32 years, that being open minded to the world, listening to opposing views, emanating love (even when you don't want to), and mostly TRUSTING YOURSELF are the keys to fully living this life. 

After a barrage of negative messages from a few folks in US (questioning her intelligence and life experience), mom has not changed her views, although she fully respects theirs.

Those who desperately need to instill fear and doubt in others' minds have lost the battle against hate. What a sad state of affairs when anxiety is a daily struggle. No thanks!  

She says that her goal in life is to teach Pompom and I to be ourselves, be open to others, to travel, to listen, to learn and to not live in fear (while still being vigilant). Only then can we be the change we wish to see. 

Also, side note, for everyone ONE asshole who kills innocent people, there are THOUSANDS who help. Doctors, nurses, police (the good ones hopefully), bystanders (black, white, brown, green, rainbow people), taxi drivers, business owners, mothers, fathers, kids and random people across the world who donate money and resources. Why is it that we always choose to ignore that part of the story? Love will always win. It always does. 

Mom has come to accept that 51% (probably more like 99.9%) of people will disagree or not approve of her lifestyle choices, or views of the world...and that's ok!! THIS IS HER LIFE!! And your life is YOURS.

If she spent an ounce of energy on worrying about it, it still wouldn't change their view anyway! Haters gonna hate...as my idol Taylor Swift would say!

So...it's time to pack up and move on to another adventure!! On y va y'all!