The Day Miss Evie Pooped at Chanel

And why laughter became the moment my soul caught up with my life

I never expected my soul to catch up with me outside a Chanel boutique in Paris… with a doggie bag in hand.

Let me explain.

The first leg of our journey across the Atlantic Ocean took us to Paris. For nine hours, Miss Evie curled in front of me in her travel case. Occasionally she shifted. Not a word from her. She was my very own rock star.

As we flew high above the ocean, I reflected on all that was behind me. When the sun rose over the clouds, I whispered to myself: the new day has truly begun.

When we finally landed at Charles de Gaulle and set foot on solid ground, Miss Evie was elated. She tugged me forward, her freedom palpable. I, as a good mother, simply followed.

And then she stopped.

Right in front of the chic Chanel boutique. Of course. My first thought was, Well, I’ve raised her right. The girl knows elegance when she sees it.

And then it happened.

The relevé.

Dear Lord, Heavens above… smack in front of a French boutique. I looked left. I looked right. Then rummaged through my bag like a woman on a mission, found a doggie bag, and handled her constitutional with as much dignity as one can muster at Chanel.

And then… it broke.The laughter.

I laughed until tears streamed down my face, until my shoulders shook, until two years of tension, of motion, of doing, of twists and turns all came crashing down in one glorious release.

Sometimes the soul catches up not in silence, but in laughter that opens the body and clears the air. That was the moment I knew: the pace of my life had finally matched the pace of my soul.

If you’ve been feeling this too, you’re not alone. Let me know what part of your life is asking for it most.

Still here,

Carolyn

PS: If this gave you a smile, please tap the heart ❤️ it lets me know these words are landing.
PSS: If someone you love could use a laugh today, share this with them. Presence comes in many forms — sometimes even at Chanel.