We have spent Christmas with my family and have been to the hospital to see my father-in-law and to the restaurant with my mother in law.
My father in law is old and sick....but still the same adorable man I met 26 years ago (my god ! That's a lot !).
His name is Antoine, he's born in Spain in Barcelona (Spanish Cataluña ), his mother died when he was 6 because of bombings during the Spanish civil war.
So his father decided to move to France with him. They settled on the French part of Cataluña, close to Perpignan.
He joined the French army very young, travelled all around the world, had learnt German and English on his own, married my mother in law he met in Germany ( my husband is a real European ;).
After 15 years in the French army, he has decided to settle in Tahiti, French Polynesia, in the middle of Pacific Ocean, with his wife and son....he worked hard and had several shops.....
When my husband-to be had his baccalaureate and had to go to university they decided to go in France...they settled in Perpignan...
My father in law is in love with his mountains : the Pyrénées....May be because they are part of his 2 countries : Spain an France.
He was happy yesterday at the hospital because despite everything he still has a view on his mountains from the windows.
I really love him, he's an excellent grand-father, he is intelligent, hard-worker, exceptional good-cooker, his eyes are smiling all the time....
I hope he's not suffering too much...
The photo on its own is beautiful, but your account of your father-in-law gives it rich and poignant meaning. There are so many stories your family can pass down through the generations--presents of Christmases past and Christmases to come.
This is such a gorgeous picture - and a lovely story. We used to fly to Barcelona every year for a while and I remember when we flew over the Pyrenees how beautiful and close up they looked even from up above in the plane.
Such a beautiful story, and what a wonderfully full life your father in law has had! And, at the end he seems to be surrounded by all that he loves, his mountains and his family....great life indeed!
A lovely view. Your Father in Law's life story would make a beautiful book. What you have said reminds me of a book called Any Human Heart by William Boyd, a wonderful read. Best wishes to him for a very speedy recovery, and to you and your lovely family Corinne for a peaceful and happy 2014. Fav for a lovely shot and story.
