MY FRENCH AMI

On the previous blog (EUROPEAN VACATION-CONCLUSION) I wrote about visiting the French friends I had first met when traveling overseas to meet dear daughter (A SAD, SAD DAY-CONCLUSION).

When I boarded the Air France flight at Dulles International Airport, I began a conversation with the French man and his wife, seated next to me. The man and I talked most of the way across the water. Upon arrival at DeGaulle International Airport, we were met by dear daughter. The new acquaintances invited us to visit them in their city, Besancson. This proved to be beneficial because our travel plans included that city. We enjoyed three days of sightseeing there.

J___P___was the lead cardiologist at the local hospital. Every year he attended the American Medical Association as a French representative. After attending three such meetings he was invited to present a paper, and from then on made a yearly presentation. He considered it quite an honor to do so. If the meeting was in Washington, D.C., he always allowed time to visit me in my McLean home.

One year, I took him to a college footbaall game in Charlottesville, Virginia. When I asked him what impressed him most about the evening, he said that it was seeing the people standing, with hats off, while our National Anthem was played and our flag raised.

Now you have met J___P___. We have continued our friendship these many years, via e-mail, talking mostly about French wines and American politics.

More, later.