Today is another one of those poignant birthday days. You can call it a birthday in heaven. You can call it a lot of things, but the fact is that every year on this day I stop at some point and think about my friend Vann Yates. Now, that doesn't mean I don't think about him at other times. I do.
It's even easier from way up here at the Belgian Cross.
He would have been 60 years old today. It's a big birthday. I couldn't let it go without mention.
Plus, last November on my driving tour of the southeastern quadrant of the USA; I was able to stop and visit with Vann's cousin Sherry and her husband Glenn.
I needed to "see" Vann and lay eyes on him one more time, as we'd promised each other we'd do. As much as I was looking to fulfill that promise; I was also hoping for answers. Those questions were left unanswered and I walked away with many more questions.
Back in France, I believe I've found my answers to both.
Above all, I've come to realize that in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans; Vann was my "happy guy!" He was always able to rah-rah me no matter what.
I still laugh today at how often he'd quote Hank Williams Jr. to me, in person in New Orleans or over the telphone from Cadrieu:
"I like happy, I don't like sad...,"
Now there's another part to that line that some of you may know, and some of you may not. I teased him about it all the time whenever he'd give me just this much. If you don't already know it, I'm sure you can look it up or find it somewhere.
Joyeux Anniversaire to my always "happy guy," from France.
Just keep us posted...I'm really glad to know that you are blogging again. I'm not good at slow, steady, steps at a time, and regrouping but it can be done and I'm sure you can do it! You are just that kind of a person. Plus, you have Bodil's love and support. You are both very lucky...as I am lucky to have you both in my life. Love you bunches-Laury and Sammie Cat
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | September 14, 2017 at 01:51 PM
thanks Laury, yes, it has been and still is a struggle to grasp with the new situation. It is really an "after the stroke" situation, more different from before, than I could have ever imagined, and sure, there are new challenges, but in many ways it also turns out to be good ! more in my blog in one of the coming days :) love to you and Sammie Cat, and it sounds good to have an international overall celebration in the Lot ! lol Niels
Posted by: Niels | September 13, 2017 at 08:37 PM
Oh Niels-I knew the summer had a lot going on for you, but I didn't realize that it was a struggle. Happy isn't always easy, but aren't we lucky to have wonderful people in our lives (I count you and Bodil as two) who make us happy just to hear from them and be with them! WE LOVE YOU BOTH-Laury and Sammie Cat...ps-we are pondering an International Overalls Celebration in France for the first time since 2009-I'll keep you posted!
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | September 13, 2017 at 09:47 AM
I like to be happy, not least because I know you :) I could actually had chosen to be sad this summer, but I didn't more in my blog, have started to blog again ! love Niels
Posted by: Niels | September 13, 2017 at 09:25 AM