I miss you Devan!!

It has been one year since my precious nephew Devan went to be with the Lord...at the tender age of sixteen. I can't begin to express the pain and loss I feel at his passing and it is beyond understanding the pain of his parents and his sister Ariel. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Devan was by far THE most remarkable young man I ever and I'm sure will ever meet in my life. He was so full of life, energy, laughter, love and plans to conquer the world. He was mischievous and a prankster constantly enjoying torturing those he loved with their weaknesses...mine was the song from Vanilla Ice..."Ice, Ice baby", a song he learned to play on the guitar and used to chase me playing it...he even taught it to his sister so that they could both torture. Even though he could kick my butt easily without breaking a sweat after he stopped playing he would run as fast as he could when I would chase him for my revenge...he knew that I would tickle him...his main weakness.

He took life head first with full speed…he lived life at his fullest and I’ve learned so many lessons from him. He loved, respected and idolized his father (my brother) and wanted nothing more than to be just like him and make his father proud….which he did constantly. They always had such wonderful times together and the love my brother had for his son is immeasurable, there was nothing that he wouldn't do for his children.

To say that I miss him is almost making light of the depths of my feelings. I am distraught at his passing and yet I consider myself to be fortunate to have known him, loved him and have been loved by him….I am a better person for having him in my life and in turn those who know me have and will continue to be touched by this remarkable man.

WHO YOU'D BE TODAY...

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
Wear the pain like a heavy coat
I feel you everywhere I go
I see your smile, I see your face
I hear you laughing in the rain
Still can't believe you're gone

It ain't fair you died too young
Like a story that had just begun
The death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you
All the hell that I've been through
Just knowing no one could take your place
Sometimes I wonder who you'd be today

Would you see the world?
Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family?
I wonder, what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue
I feel like I can talk to you
And I know it might sound crazy

It ain't fair you died too young
Like a story that had just begun
The death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you
All the hell that I've been through
Just knowing no one could take your place
Sometimes I wonder who you'd be today

Today, Today, Today
Today, Today, Today

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
I wear the pain like a heavy coat
The only thing that gives me hope
Is I know I'll see you again someday

Someday, Someday

End of the Year Lunch

Well it's that time of year....the end of the "school year" for some it has already come for some it is coming. Abigail's last day is July 2nd...though there is not much planned except fun activities like her pending trip to "Marieland" in Antibes.

In this picture we have: Gilbert, MaryVonne, Chris, Gizelle, Annick, Sylvie, Gerard, Nathalie and Me...

My students at Frejus Vous Accueille's last day was the 18th....we had class as usual though a bit later...we strolled in around 10:30 and chatted till noon. I love my class..I love my job because of the people that I get to meet..it's the perfect job for me. Nicholas joined me for the last class as they have adopted him into the family and he will actually begin teaching intermediate to advanced grammar in the fall at FVA.

After class we walked over to the restaurant in front of the Base Nature's Pool...ahh what a lovely setting....the ocean right there, the ocean breezes...it was great. The found was spectacular and the tub o' Tirimasu for desert was the topper....

This was MaryVonne's dish, the same thing that Chris had...isn't that just the prettiest...

Family, Friends, music and Roman ruins

It is so good to have Maman here in France (though she is currently visiting her sisters). We have tried several little excursions with her as she was still suffering from jet lag.

So we went and saw Marie-Claude and Philipe at their place and had them come over for Nicholas' famous "white enchiladas" which turned out to be a great hit. It's hard for anyone to not like it...it is full of creamy goodness! I'm sure it was good for them to see their apartment again after such a long time....we don't have too much longer in this million dollar view place and we will miss it terribly....(merci!)

We also in the meantime had our expo of our arts that we had created over the year....it was quite a spectacular expo...not due to us but rather in spite of us! In this photo we have the lovely Annie, Helen, Josaine and Nathalie....artwork themselves!

Here was a rare occasion for me....it was girls night out! Katell invited Lisa, Nathalie and I out for a drink after she got off work...unfortunately Nathalie was unable to attend (we missed you Nat!) We all ordered smoothies pronounced in french "smoozies" It was a great evening perfect weather, nice breeze and good friends and my baby was taken care of by my sweet Nicholas.

Also we were able to see Irie's first piano recital (though the pictures didn't turn out that great) but we were late (my fault) so we weren't allowed in but I found a "window-door" that opened right into the recital hall...so we had front row seats but with a breeze! She was GREAT!

Afterwards, since we were running like chickens with our heads cut off to get there and didn't have the time to take in the sights...we took our time going home and stopped to see the ruins at the Villa....Nicholas is always happy to see Roman ruins! Here he is touching the channel where water used to flow during Roman times....he always gets giddy.