NOWADAYS

Albert had to see his mother! This visit was going to be a painful one, he knew that, but he had to do it... and so he did.

The old lady stared at him proudly but didn't say anything at all. She was not sad, neither ashamed according to him.

"Mother, tell me why? Is that true?"

But she remained in silence, her lips sealed, she just closed her eyes, she was looking tired...

"What could I say? She is so old, and she probably did her best... Now I know that I don't want to look back any longer. Present and future are wonderful".

Albert gave his name and his nationality to his daughter and that year, for the first time they celebrated Xmas together in London as a family with grand kids.

Summer time came and he gathered all his close friends, as promised, to introduce his daughter to us.

The party was unforgettable. R. looked like her father; they were like two peas in a pod. Everybody was delighted and we all had a great time.

Albert was beaming and was hugging everybody around him. He was happy. Life was going on and life was good.

Summer passed by. He went back to London with Carole and R. went back to Germany.

Fall came and we met the British couple to have dinner in a lovely restaurant by the sea. We were six at table. Albert was looking great, as always, and Carole was peaceful and quiet, as always.

When we kissed each other goodbye, Albert who had a bad cold, told us he was going to visit the doctor on Monday, as he was feeling sick and weak.

That was the last time we saw him alive... We didn't know it at that time but those kisses were the last ones.

He passed away on July 9th in London; he was holding hands with Carole.

Albert was cremated, according to his last will and part of his ashes buried in their country house in England. The rest was going to be thrown into the Mediterranean Sea...

All his Spanish friends were there to support Carole and his daughter. We said goodbye to him throwing 39 red roses into the sea... Albert was sailing...

Last July, on the third anniversary of his death, Carole had finally the strength to come back to his dear Costa Brava.

She is still missing him.

He is still in our hearts.

Bye bye Albert we love you.