As I trek across from country to country, I gather pieces along the way. Pieces that will help me remember. Pieces that I can give as gifts to others. Pieces that I had brought along and realized I didn’t need any more just to leave them behind.

The task of sending these pieces back home made me a pretty nervous. Not in the sense of being nervous of letting go but simply because of the language barrier. I’m traveling through France and my French is as basic as a college party overflowing with red cups and bad decisions.

My back began feeling sore from carrying five countries worth of memories and I knew I needed to ship them. I walk into this small and active post office, or as they say here “la poste.” I had been memorizing all of the sentences I needed to say to mail my memories and gifts but as soon I was next in line, it all vanished from my mind.

I stood there with a blank stare as a middle aged woman working there asked me what I needed in French. I thankfully remembered, “Parlez-vous anglais?” but then the look in her eyes was identical to mine and she began to mumble and say, “I get help…” and she pointed to her co-worker.

With a few shuffles of the hands and mumbles of words I don’t understand, her co-worker seemed to not be of any help and the woman sighed, walked back, and began to try and help me.

We both speak choppy French and English and use many hand signals. At times we felt helpless and nervous and at times it clicked and we’d smile at each other. She turns over and says apologetically, “I so sorry I don’t know English well. I really sorry…”

I was so surprised that she is apologizing to me. I quickly respond with, “No, you don’t need to be sorry. I am sorry. I’m in your country.” She smiles with the kindest look in her eyes. I could barely understand this person yet I knew her. She felt how I did in many different places I had been so far on my travels.

We fill out the blank lines, package up last minute items, and swipe my card. She smiles and said, “Goodbye and safe trip.” I reply, “Merci.”

I am so thankful for her kindness and openness to work with me. I am thankful that we, using the little knowledge we had of each other’s language, were able to speak to each other. It was a simple and sweet interaction but one I won’t forget.