My Gift from Michael

Menton, France                                                                  June 20, 2024

I left Florida today for a place that captured my heart in 2017. My gift from Michael and a flight to France happened like this. A few months ago, in November, and a few weeks before my birthday, my daughter and I were visiting my son, Michael in Texas.

I had taken a few sips of really good wine, then opened the menu, pretending to choose an entrée for dinner. I laughed often at this charade. It had become comical once my son had started to live and dine in fabulous restaurants in Manhattan. He is very confident that he will make the correct culinary decisions for everyone at the table at any given time. Before I had time to pretend to have chosen my meal, my son said, “Mom, I’m tired of hearing that you want to go back to France, so here’s your birthday gift. I’m sending you to France.” I looked at my daughter, who obviously knew about his surprise, and she nodded happily, proud of her brother’s generosity. The restaurant wasn’t very dark. Of course, several diners wondered why tears rolled down my face, resulting in a smudge of my blue mascara.

He then instructed me that I had two weeks to choose dates and a location, and joked that I would lose the opportunity if I delayed any longer. My gift from Michael was a round trip flight to any city in France. I’m normally very talkative, as my children, now grown, have told me repeatedly. This announcement shocked me, and I had mo idea what words to use. Needless to say, I grabbed the opportunity, and professed my gratitude! I gave Michael some dates and he took it from there. Thanks, Michael! I couldn’t wait to find out if Menton would still tug at my heart. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Nice-Airport-NCE/Menton#r/Drive/s/0