FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

This beautiful, heartfelt letter brought tears to my eyes. Someday, my sons will be Max's age and living their own lives, possibly far away from me. That mere idea is bittersweet, even now. Wishing Max the happiest of birthdays, and sending kind wishes your way, Kristi and Jean-Marc!

Oh, c'est trop beau!

Such tender and honest words you have for Max, Jean-Marc. They brought tears to my eyes as well. It is such a gift for a parent to let their first born spread wings and fly away. Be assured that the path he takes will always bring him.back, especially in your heart. The parent-child bond is forever. As he ventures out and with each passing birthday, may life keep Max safe.

Thank you for sharing this touching tribute to Max. I think of him sharing the labor and love for your vines and your family. Having met him I know him to be kind and respectful. Although he is finding his own way, I think he will never forget where he came from and will always find his way back to the family he loves.

J'espère que vous avez une belle journée. Hommage merveilleux de votre père. Joyeux anniversaire Maxime

Just. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Si émpouvant...

Beautiful letter from Father to son. It says what so many parents feel when their children are ready to fly away on their own wings..we all have regrets...could have done this better..done that differently , that's just part of the parenting gig and means we cared a LOT...we can only do what we are capable of at the time. I think most of our children know that , and it especially hits home when they also become parents. You have both done an excellent job and should be very proud parents.
Much love to you all...and Cheers to Max!!!
Anne from New Zealand.

What a truly moving message from father to son on his birthday. In scrolling through the comments that followed, I was struck that Max must share his birthday on May 17 with more than one person, and here I thought, some sixty years older then Max, I alone could claim that date.

Joyeux anniversaire, Max.

Another Max[ey]

Dear Jean-Marc, It's often the best parents who have the most regrets. Because they can never do enough for their children - at least, not in their own eyes. So don't be sad. Most of us have to work when our children are still young and need us most, but that means a better standard of living for the family and a positive role model. I worked too long and too hard when my children were young, but in later years when sometimes as young adults they had problems I was able to be there for them. And now I am there for my grandchild. So one often gets more chances and they are sometimes the sweetest of all. Crois-moi et ne regrette rien. Tu as fait ton mieux - c'est ce qui compte.

So beautifully expressed and honest..How little we know ahead of time the enormous story of rearing a child. As your husband says he chose a demanding career ..most of us do and we can only move from the heart..Mistakes and a few regrets are part of the beautiful tapestry.
I am certain YOU have played a beautiful melody along side this father/son connection. May JOY and wonder always be on your path.
Yes you will iss him like I miss mine but they are their own person now and this next "show" glitters with possibility Thank you for posting this..
pamela singer

Oh boy, I'm not sure which made cry more: the affecting note Jean-Marc composed for your son, or the tears in his voice as he read it aloud. A beautiful tribute to Max for his birthday and for always. Happy 22nd to him!

From father to son.

Happy Birthday dear Max and bravo to both of you for raising such a grand person.

...... "his words are so tender and heartfelt,
I know when Max reads them, his own
heart will melt".....

Kristin, you are blessed with a wonderful husband, son and daughter.... cherish them. J.

Trop beau! Vraiment touchant!

Tender and Beautiful Jean-Marc. Thanks for sharing Kristi ♥

Simple and perfectly beautiful. Thank you so much.

What a sweet, moving letter! I hope Max will keep the letter- it is such a wonderful gift to have from one's Papa.
And happy BIRTH-day to you Kristi, I am sure you remember the day well when Max came into your lives-- and nothing has ever been the same!!

Said just like a Frenchman.....beautiful!

How lovely . I , too, have "deux grands", who are grown,terrific young men with families of their own. I miss them terribly, since we are all scattered all over the U.S. Today is their father's birthday, who, sadly passed away at the age of 56. Today, he would be 75. Cherish every moment we have with family. Thank you for this reading today.

The same age that your Mom and I were
In English, we are 22 years old, where in French, using literal translation, we have 22 years. Somehow that took me a long time to understand, perhaps the break through in my mind that French is not English translated, but a whole new way to describe life and living. Then I wondered if Depuis quatre ans meant the last 4 years as written, or since he was 4 years old--the age someone said when children begin to recognize the world beyond their family.

Such thoughts, as every father has, who makes a living while raising his children, so well said.

Literally, I have tears in my eyes reading this.

Thanks for sharing a beautiful message from father to son. Those of us who
have children far away really appreciate a father who is able to express his
thoughts so beautifully. My son lives and works in Japan and he has been far
away for 15 years.. As parents we want our children to know the world in which they live. As parents we do not know what that goal will demand of us.

Lorraine Taylor
Holbrook, New York

Beautiful and touching. I loved hearing the emotion in his voice, which moved me almost to tears. -Kate

HAPPY Birthday my Darling Max...you are the greatest.
I love you forever with all of my heart.

XOXO Grandmere Jules

I live in South Africa and have a son in UK and a daughter in New Zealand, so I feel for you Jean-Marc. A warning - your loneliness will get worse when you have grandchildren.

Love it...brings to mind my two sons and the plaque hanging on their bathroom wall when they were growing up. It read "there are two gifts we can give our children...one is roots and the other is wings. " They took it literally! They both live out of state from me and in two separate states. They are vey successful in their life and work...and they are happy....which makes me happy! Isn't that what we want for our children?!

C'est émouvant !

So beautifully put, this brought tears to my eyes and expresses from the heart what we experience when we have children. How quickly they grow to spread their wings. How can we be parents without some regrets? There is not the time in the world to experience all we wish to do with our children. Thank you for sharing.

Jean-Marc,
No birthday card could ever have expressed such a wonderful, loving, and heartfelt tribute you have given Max on his birthday. What a treasure you are to him, and he to you! Happy Borthday, Max!

That was so touching, and hearing JM trying to make it through to the end was a tear-jerker! Please tell Jean-Marc he is never to have regrets about time not spent with Max, I don't know any fathers who have done a better job at raising their kids, and I know a lot of amazing fathers!!

The life you have both given your kids is truly a dream-life, and they have turned out so well-adjusted, bilingual, talented, and capable young adults, a rare thing in today's world! Congratulations to both of you, and Joyeux Anni, Max!!!

bisous, Suzanne, Charlie and Lily

Très émouvant. J'avais des larmes aux yeux.

I got behind in reading the posts due to travels, and as it happens, my catching up brings this to me on [U.S.] Fathers' Day. How very, very special!