Chris and I are off to France for five days. I’ve checked out the weather forecast and it’s looking good. I’ve bought my swimsuit, confirmed the plane times and shaved my legs. Sunshine here we come!
We’re staying with Chris’s best friend Geoff in his renovated farmhouse west of Toulouse. This loving restoration has been going on for over twenty years. Chris still recounts the story of their first night in the half ruined gite.
Exhausted by their long drive from England, they hunkered down to a late meal of bread, cheese and plenty of wine. For a bit of company they tuned into the radio, only to discover a channel playing all the old hits from the Sixties. Much merriment was made into the wee small hours and the house in France was well and truly christened.
Since that first night, Chris has been accompanying Geoff to France every year, several times a year. Each time they set themselves tasks and each time they vie with each other as to who can be the quickest and the best.
Geoff’s wife and daughters can be thankful for their continued competition. It has provided them with stairs and wardrobes; bathing platforms and decking; landscape gardening and fencing.
And finally this July - the climax to all these years of hard work: Geoff’s eldest daughter (and Chris’s God Daughter) is to celebrate her marriage in their French summer home.
And we won’t be there.
I know, I can’t quite believe it myself. We’re in Montana, riding horses and watching rodeos, instead of enjoying the culmination of twenty years of loving toil.
But the love poured into this house in France continues and I am looking forward this week to watching Chris and Geoff, beer in hand, discussing the most efficient way to box in some piping.
And as I sit in the sunshine and watch them work, I’ll be smiling. I’ll be thinking of the young men they once were - competing over a Private Pilot’s License, a Squash tournament or a pretty girl. And I’ll be applauding the Elder Statesmen they’ve become - still motivated, still competing.
And, in July, when I am loping across the planes of Montana, I will be picturing fondly the Wedding Feast taking place in it’s idyllic French setting. And I will know that Chris has given his own gift to his God Daughter, and is every bit as present in that scene as the proud Father of the Bride.
PS: I'm taking my laptop but have no idea if I can connect to the internet there. So if you don't hear from me until next Monday, don't panic, I'll be back!
Laura x
PS: I'm taking my laptop but have no idea if I can connect to the internet there. So if you don't hear from me until next Monday, don't panic, I'll be back!
Laura x
