Welcome

Val Littman & Linda Korolewski
10 rue Molère-
Florensac 34510 - France

Telephone: FRANCE (0)4 67 00 14 95
From USA 011 + 33 + 467 - 00 14 95

Val Littman and Linda Korolewski:
After establishing successful careers in America’s corporate life and Chicago real estate and over twenty five years of marriage, Val and Linda decided to exchange their multiple graduate degrees, their professional licenses, certifications, their successful careers, and their Chicago urban lifestyle for village life in the South of France.

Formed by their past religious life, ministry, teaching, social work and psychology, they bring a perceptive, prayerful, carefully considered and often comical view to life.

They are among the Baby Boomer generation that has often pushed the cultural envelope, crossing over to living their lives in new ways. Their early retirement at age 53 put them at the edge of many in that generation who will be living out their own dreams of a good life in “The Third Age”, and the growing trend of international living.

In their “first retirement” in 2001, they offered hospitality at le petit jardin de l’âme. More than a B&B, le petit jardin de l’âme was a unique visit to the south of France. Their guests came to soothe their soul, refresh their spirits, and reawaken their dreams.

In time, Linda found herself connecting to village women through teaching English as a foreign language. Val joined a local international choral group, and a small Episcopal Church community grew up around Val and Linda, to become Grace church, in this chapter of their retirement.

When they moved to France it was “forever”. In la vie en France life became full - sometimes too full - and they realized that “forever” could be another 20+ years.

When they fist announced their move from Chicago after 25 years of their professional careers, people asked "Why France". As they say their goodbyes in France to move to Panama, friends ask "Why Panama?" The journey is their life:

It is good for the soul to be uprooted now and again… transplanted, trimmed and pruned - and now it is time for a new adventure.

They hope to find a new life in Panama, to try again to retire, and create a little garden that nourishes the soul.

La Flor del Espiritu Santo
The national flower of Panama: The Flower of the Holy Spirit

The center of the flower forms a shape that resembles a dove, in fact the botanical name Peristeris Elata comes from the Greek, Peristerion, meaning "Dove' . .The flower is white, ivory with tiny dots of red wine color and what appears to be the beak of the dove - the pistil - is pale yellow