On January 11, 1931 — 95 years ago today — Andrée Berger was born, followed a 16 months later by “my little brother,” Guy. January 9 is the anniversary of their mother’s death when Andrée was in her late teens, and for as long as I lived with them, Peter always used to buy her flowers on that date to remember it with her.
This is not a post about who we have lost, but about an indomitable spirit who caries on anyway. Then again, we have to acknowledge that birthdays are also a reminder of who is not at the celebration, especially if they planned it. To celebrate Andrée’s 80th birthday, the whole extended family and close friends took the Canal du Midi barge tour that Peter had planned for the occasion before he died.
Two long boats, 10 people per boat, from just outside Toulouse to Sète and back. It was amazing (and yes, we ate oysters on mammoth seafood platters delivered to the barges when we docked in Sète).
Yesterday she went to the annual Voeux du Marie — “un moment convivial pour the échanger et partager les projects” delivered by the acting and we assume future mayor. There, it is reported, she kissed most of the village, many of whom she can still name, and talked for a long time to “a beautiful little blond boy” — Nadine and Yvon’s grandson!
She is still up for adventures and road trips. In addition to short trips around here to churches and museums, this fall three of her help team took her for three days to the mediterranean and she was in heaven. She sat on the beach and they went on a boat and her expression says it all. And, of course, she ate oysters.
So, although she tucks into foie gras, duck, and chocolate with as much gusto as eau de vie, champagne, and a little sweet wine, for her 95th we just stuck with oysters, champagne, and a mix of family and friends at a late lunch. Deborah made a seaweed and shallot spread, Ana made a fennel risotto, and Nadine made Tiramisu, but the star was 8 dozen oysters we got from the oyster lady at the market yesterday, which Antoine shucked with great dexterity and Andrée dispatched with a little help from the assembled.
And the real star was Andrée!
Happy Birthday!
On the Canal du Midi, August 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *At the Mediterranean, September 2025.
