The anniversary of this French word journal passed quietly by last month, unbeknownst even to me. But now that I've put two-and-two together, I'm not letting this milestone go unfêted (another lapse into franglais?). In keeping this brief, I will share the one thing that comes to mind when I think about writing this newsletter to you, and that is "Bundle of joy."
Now here's the part that is étonnante: the act of writing does not = "bundle of joy" to me–non, pas du tout! (For a very long time that fact alone made me believe I was a writing imposter and not un écrivain…) Neither does putting together these blog posts–does HTML rhyme with "joie" in your universe? Heavens no!–unless you're a hacker or "pirate informatique" and btw don't you love French?!
No, this "bundle of joy" of which I speak comes after delivery (just like a baby!)–after the uncertainty, after the effort, after the still-to-this-day doubt that maybe I've made a mistake in my delivery?
I read somewhere early on–or was it a friend who warned me…: Once the story is out there it is no longer your own. It belongs to the reader who will interpret it as only he or she can–based on each and every experience, good or bad, he or she has ever had.
Sacrebleu! That might have put me off writing then and there, except it didn't and now I look up from my computer screen and here I am in my 17th year of sending you these missives (I learned that word–along with a host of others and lots of grammar and geography too–from you. Your readership has been an education to me!).
As I pause today to mark this milepost in under 370 words, je tiens à vous dire, I have to tell you how deeply grateful I am for your "just show up and we've got your back" audience attitude. It reminds me we are on this creative journey together and this is why I write: for the connection and for the joy it brings.
Kristi
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Happy 17th and hopefully 17 more to come! I’ve been following you for a lot of those years and want to thank you for letting me look over your shoulder and into your always exciting, never-a-dull-moment, sweet, charming, family-oriented, dog-loving, laughter-filled and most of all courageous and faithful French life. You have brought a ray of sunshine into my own sometimes when it was most needed. So looking forward to your retirement!
Brave. Kind-hearted. Loving and loved. Beautiful at every age and made more beautiful with each tiny scar. We admire you very much.
Please continue to write, for yourself and for us. Congratulations on being one of the pioneers in blogging!
Joyeuse Anniversaire!! Merci to you and all of your family and dear loved ones lost. It makes my day to follow all your adventures, trials and tribulations from across the world..Bless you.
Keep it up! YOU are a dynamo, for sure! I do admire your honesty and you trying to understand all there is to even raise children in La Belle France! YOU have a STAR!
Kristi,
Everything I could say to/for/about you has already been said, and eloquently so. I hope you print these affirmations and paper your office with them so that on those days when you wonder “why” you will remember just how much you mean to people around the world. Your genuineness shines through everything you write. Joyeux Anniversaire, dear Kristi.
Thank you, chère Jeanne. That is a wonderful idea! I am deeply touched by each and every word here. Mille mercis, les ami(e)s!
These loving notes give me so much motivation to continue. Papering the room with them is a brilliant idea! Now to figure out which room to decorate…after going mobile with my computer last year (in an effort to be more flexible about where and when to write!). Perhaps creating a magical umbrella with everyones lovely notes…this would surely shield from a rainy day writing. 💛🌞
Joyeux Anniversaire! I’ve been enjoying your blog for years now. I do thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your posts are always “une gourmandise” to me!
I am French and in deeply love with the English language! Thank you for teaching me so many new words or expressions.
For example and as Dana yvey asked above “is there a French equivalent of “bundle of joy”?
What would be the English word for “une gourmandise” in this context?
I also learn a lot from your readers’comments! Thank you to all of them too!
Thank you very very much for your posts, we all love them!
Kristi, Have you seen this? http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20181104-why-the-french-dont-show-excitement
Félicitations, Kristi! How that time has flown by! You have created a wonderful caring community on these pages with your thoughtful, candid sharing of life. The bonus is our immersion through you of what it is like to live in France PLUS an ever-increasing vocabulary. Thank you for your friendship and, most of all, for being the gift that keeps on giving!
Je t’embrasse!
Kristi,
Love your stories and pictures!
Have been to the South of France twice and loved its beauty and its people!
Christine
Really enjoyed the article. Thanks, Mara!
Vous êtes et tu sera toujours mon amie Américaine de la plume
My American writer en France qui est toujours en bloom!