A dozen or more photos today! I hope you enjoy the story of my family’s visit. (Pictured: my niece, Reagan, and my nephew, Payne, in front of a monument honoring the Lumière brothers, pioneers of cinema.)
Today’s Verb: manquer
(mahn-KAY)
manquer = to miss; to be absent; to be lacking.
Unlike English, French reverses the sentence:
- Tu me manques. = I miss you. (Literally: You are missing to me.)
- Vous me manquez. = I miss you (addressing more than one person, or speaking formally).
In French, the person who is absent is the subject of the sentence. Rather than saying I miss you, the French express the idea as “You are missing from my life.”
Example:
Vous me manquez déjà. = I miss you already.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
A swim in Cassis…a stroll through Aix…lunch in a rocky calanque in Mugel…a boat ride to L’Île Verte in Uncle Jimmy’s pointu…the view from Le Castellet!…Mom’s 80th birthday celebration at the centre équestre and the way she quietly studied each member of the family during the week my sister, niece, and nephew came to visit…
There are so many memories to savor that I can’t seem to settle on just one for this story I’m trying to write. Perhaps the knot in my throat the morning my family left is keeping the words from flowing.
Standing out on the curb in my bathrobe at 3:15 a.m., Ricci in my arms, I lifted her paw as we both waved goodbye to the taxi which disappeared into the darkness with my loved ones.
Vous me manquez…
The French don’t actually say “I miss you.” They say Tu me manques—literally, “You are missing to me.”
No matter how you say it, the feeling is the same, so I’ll let those words carry a few more memories…
Tu me manques, Reagan. I’ll miss your Chiche! and the way you didn’t hesitate to climb into that bucket to stomp Uncle Jimmy’s first backyard vintage while Ricci cheered you on.
Tu me manques, Payne. Maybe you won’t miss my driving, but I’ll miss your confidence in me. Somewhere between the coastal roads and Le Castellet, your encouraging words made me believe I could drive again, after yet another sabbatical from the wheel (it’s so easy to walk everywhere in my town).
Tu me manques, Heidi. Barely home before you called to say, “We miss you already. We’re coming back for Jean-Marc’s 60th! Do come back, and please take over the kitchen again! I loved your tacos–just like the ones Mom made when we were little.
Through it all Jean-Marc, aka “Uncle Jimmy” was the best host, ever ready to play a game of darts, prepare the kayak and paddle board, piquer une tête, or take everyone on a whim to the old port to play pool.
Of all the tender memories, I keep returning to Mom. During the visit, she seemed to come alive as she quietly looked from face to face, soaking in every smile, every conversation, every little detail.
A day or two after Heidi and the kids left, Mom kept repeating, “What a wonderful visit. You were so calm and relaxed.”
At first I felt a little defensive. Well, what am I usually—a vraie boule de nerfs? But the truth is, I do get worked up, tying myself in knots trying to make everything perfect. This time, somehow, I’d forgotten to.
Perhaps because there was something even better to do.
Like Mom, I simply took it all in.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
manquer = to miss; to be absent.
Tu me manques = I miss you
Vous me manquez = I miss you
la calanque = rocky Mediterranean cove or inlet
le pointu = traditional Provençal wooden fishing boat
le centre équestre = equestrian center
L’Île Verte = Green Island, just off the coast of La Ciotat.
Chiche ! = You’re on!
piquer une tête = to go for a swim, to dive in
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Bon anniversaire, maman de Kristie🩷. We just said goodbye to 1 stepdaughter plus friend, 4 stepgrandkids plus partners and adding us in, we were 12 at the table a couple of times….such fun, so lively, so sad when they leave….
I miss you so much!! I had the best time ever :)❤️
What a delightful reminiscence of a family get together. Please wish your mom a joyeux anniversaire from me. Tell her, welcome to the octogenarian club!
Oh my gosh … what a beautiful family.
Those pictures of you, and your family, and the breathtaking scenery … amazing.
Your planning and preparation for their visit shines through.
Mary Liz
Thank you for sharing your wonderful family photos with us. They help recall good times with mine. You clearly made the visit special for everyone. It was perfect.
Love the photos of your beautiful family. What a perfect celebration for your mom’s 80th birthday. Know she cherished every minute with all of you!
Beautiful Family! And such a good celebration of your mother’s 80th.
The pictures are wonderful and make me “homesick” for Provence which is one of the reasons I so enjoy your posts and books.
All the best,
John
We loved every picture! You know how we love your area of the country. How lucky you are to have your family visit. Please wish your mother a happy birthday from us…80 is okay! Caroline and Marshall
Fabulous Family and equally fabulous photos! Happy 80th Birthday to your Maman who is as beautiful and chic as ever! Wishing her- and all of you- continued love and happiness (a la Al Green) 🥰
What a wonderful celebration of family. Love, love all the pics. Happy 80th Jules, sending you lots of hugs and love.
Loved the photos. Beautiful family and beautiful surroundings
Our dear Kristi,
What a glorious and joyful family– one filled with love, devotion,and true joie de vivre! Thank you for sharing this with us!
You truly made our day! Especially with such gorgeous pictures, vocabulary–and your words,dear Kristi!–that just wrap themselves around our hearts!
Jules and I are the same age–80!!! EIGHTY!!! In younger days that would seem so old,so aged, and yet here I am, feeling anything but old and aged!! My life has–is!!–despite illness and challenges,cherished and appreciated,especially with gratitude to my beyond wonderful family,my friends, and always( ALWAYS!) with praise to God for granting me this privilege( which too many people are not granted.) Though by now I admittedly do know my limitations( paraphrasing Clint Eastwood),but that is just fine.
Happy Birthday beautiful Jules!! Blessings,health and happiness in abundance!
Onward my sweet friends!
Arms tight around you all.
Love
Natalia. XO
Wow! The Photos just knocked my socks off. I almost felt like I was there. I wish I wish I wish.
bonjour, Kristi: What a delightful, beautiful & glorious e-mail. Many congratulations on your Mom’s 80th birthday surrounded with people she loves & who love her! All of your photos always touch my heart! The fun, the great meals, the shopping, the conversations make the photos that much more enjoyable! Stay well & safe; amicalmente, ann
Lovely seeing Jules with her girls. 💗💗💗
You can see the genuine love in all the smiles, the inner joy just radiating throughout. I am humbled by witnessing it.
To see beautiful Jules in the midst of all these extraordinary pictures who must pause often to take it all in! But, of course! It is something to be celebrated and cherished. Cheers, Kristi, to your excellent mothering/management skills for young and old alike and for being the nucleus of all these happy times. And cheers to Jules who must be so proud! Happy 80th!
Thank you SO much for explaining “tu me manques “! I’ve seen it in songs, etc. and sometimes the French word order can be confusing! You explained it perfectly!
Family pictures were beautiful, so glad that you and your family had a fabulous time together. 😘🇫🇷👍
Happy Birthday to Maman! To gaze on your children’s faces — a gift beyond measure.
Hi Kristi! What a happy, fun family!! Fabulous photos as usual and you always look the best (sorry to embarrass you but it’s true). Of course, Jules is a delight at 80, bless her. Took me a bit to learn using “vous me manquez”! Sounds backwards to us Americains!🇺🇸 Stay safe!