The Christmas Gift

three graces

As Chelsea and Sacha ran towards the metro to go to the Louvre I sent off a quick prayer, more like a demand, it is the way I pray now… "Keep them safe, surround them with your light, Amen." Then as they vanished with energetic freedom I turned towards French Husband. "Alone… you and I in Paris! What do you want to do?"

the louvre in the distance

He grinned a silly grin which caused me to wonder if he meant something naughty, "In the car?" I assumed out loud.
"No, let's go buy you a Christmas gift. Do you have any shop in mind?" A tad bit disappointed that my assumption did not even get a rise. I repeated what I have hinted at a million times before: The gift of a handyman.

You see I have told him that the best gift would be to have a handyman twice a month.
But that man of mine rolls his eyes as if I am asking for the Crown jewels, or like I am thinking something other than tools in a box. It is disheartening. Though I keep hinting "Handy man Services", yet it never seems to be what Santa wants to bring me.

Paris at sunset

We walked around the Left Bank in Paris while I pretended to look for a Christmas gift. I peeked into windows aware that French Husband was hoping something caught my eye. "Do you like that? What about that? Oh that is pretty don't you think?" I was aware that I was disappointing him by my shrugs. I told him I was happy, that it was the best gift to be doing what we are doing, together. He nodded, but I could see he wasn't buying it as my Christmas gift.

Eiffel-tower-at-night

…. and then something really, truly caught my eye. I stopped in my tracks. French Husband bumped into me, and at the same time saw what I saw and whispered in my ear, "At last."

to be continued tomorrow…

(Photos by my daughter Chelsea.)

 



Comments

46 responses to “The Christmas Gift”

  1. Maybe he has already arranged the handyman…and when you do get one, can you imagine the stories…oh I wondered what you chose as your gift. I love the suspense.

  2. I can’t wait to find out the surprise!!!!!

  3. Love you
    Cannot wait for tomorrow as the saga continues
    Love and hugs
    Jeanne♥

  4. Tomorrow, tomorrow,… its only a day away!!

  5. Oh you are such a tease……..xo

  6. such a tease

  7. ohhh i can’t wait to hear!

  8. I know … you saw a handyman in the window!
    Or a tool box? or a DIY book? Maybe it was something more fun. A joytoy? (I made that up) or perhaps some more nice old stuff? Maybe a stack of linens? No? enough of them? What about a camera case? Yes maybe thats it! I think I remember you need one of those…. perhaps you saw a balloon containing all the intangible love in the world that he shares with you?

  9. this is like waiting for Santa…. I am one of the most horrible waiters in the world…. I bet I get up extra early just to find out… if you are walking the left bank I can’t imagine it being anything but stylish, wonderful,beautiful….. what fun you are having…love linda

  10. You ARE bad. I am sitting at my computer, sneaking in while my husband and children sleep and I can’t wait. I too have asked for a handyman on a retainer. It would be bliss. . . .

  11. Corey…how can you do this to us???? To be continued is to much for us!!!!!

  12. Ohhhh … what a tease!!!!

  13. on the Left Bank … pastel macaroons in a green box? I’ll be back tomorrow to see.

  14. You have me in such suspende, you little stinker ♥ My Hunk of Birning Love and I NEED to come visit you, he can fix and/or repair most anything.

  15. Oooops! Hit the wrong button….. sorry about ALL the typos. Hope you know what I mean ♥

  16. Maybe Yann will give you a recording of James Taylor singing his oldie, “Handy Man”!

  17. Antique tools in an antique toolbox!!!! lol xo

  18. Jeanette Mc.

    Can’t wait to hear!

  19. g coughlin

    oh corey –the words whispered in your ear..”at last” have me on the edge of my seat , not for what was spyed, but for what passes between those in love. HOW WONDERFUL for you and your beloved!

  20. You can safely bet that I will be dropping in tomorrow. No more teasing, yes?

  21. RoboHandyman! Who understands commands in English.
    (If robots can vacuum, why not handymanning?)

  22. Michelle M in KY

    Wha…Wha…What??? The suspense is driving me crazy. How could you leave us hanging like that…your dear, daily readers and followers? Just joking. I can’t wait to hear what it is. It’s not a puppy is it???

  23. Oh Corey!!!!You are such a tease. I’m going to be back tomorrow anyway-I check in everyday but you still tease.

  24. Julie Ann Evins

    A handyman the perfect gift, even once a month would be perfect. We are of one mind. Nevertheless I cannot wait to find out what tomorrow brings. Any left bank discovery cannot be bad in my book, antiques a plenty, chocolate to die for, gorgeous lingerie, the list goes on… In fact I’ll take all of those plus the handyman. Capricious ? Me ?….
    Off to consume more calories, Jxx

  25. Oh you are a tease! I hope you received your handyman for Christmas. I would love one of those too.

  26. I’m longing for one too! Only not for the house–for my film set!!

  27. the car?

  28. Can’t wait to hear what your gift is going to be! I am so glad that I am not the only Mom who surrounds her child(ren) in white light before sending them on their way when she is out of my sight! Thank you, thank you, thank you – I thought I was overprotecting and crazy!

  29. Ah Corey – you are such a tease!

  30. You are bad, Bad, BAD!
    Chelsea is going to be a fine photographer–takes after her talented Maman.
    Happy New year!

  31. Beautiful images…I wrote about Christmas gifts today too although I’m not sure my post is as exciting as yours.

  32. Oh I hate cliffhangers!!! I will be here same time…. same bat channel..tomorrow..enjoy Paris.
    Happy New Year…

  33. Oh, do tell! Why wait until tomorrow? Tell us today! Please?

  34. no, no, NO!!! you cannot do this! *stamping foot!!*…. you simply cannot leave me hanging to see what i was that you spied… the time is going to go so slowly til I can race back to see what it was…

  35. A robotic handyman?? LOL 🙂

  36. Grrr. If there was one thing that made me upset, it was seeing “to be continued….” at the end of a TV show. Thankfully I don’t have to wait a week to find out what you saw! 😀

  37. A pink “Handy-woman” tool belt…….?

  38. Wow Chelsea certainly has a great eye for photography. I just love her style. And I also cannot wait.

  39. I went for a ride on the bike and thought of this as we rode along…. I think you spied French husband in the window ~ a reflection ~ and that is what you want for a Christmas gift.. and he is taking you to a romantic room somewhere in Paris and showering you with love & kisses….ooh lala !!

  40. Ooooooo I cant wait to read what it is! And, Handyman service- I asked for the same thing!

  41. how cruel! this will be worse than waiting for Christmas morning!!!! can’t wait to find out what it is. Glad you are ejoying the city of lights.
    I wanted to say Happy New Year! I am so glad I “found” you this past year. I have enjoyed so much spending time with you 🙂 thank you!

  42. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the story!

  43. you live a charmed life, my friend! Can’t wait to see the gift that stopped you in your tracks. P.S. Why don’t you just hire that handyman yourself?

  44. jend’isère

    A Parisian apartment! A photo of that longed after pied-à-terre loft in a real estate window?

  45. Cliff-hangers are your cup’o tea, fun!

  46. Nothing better than a handyman. That would be a good gift for any occasion. Can not wait to hear the rest of the story. Bonne Annee

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