Adieu Hubert
I first met my future father-in-law, Hubert, at 6:00 a.m. one beautiful July morning nearly 40 years ago when Eric, my new French boyfriend, and I arrived by train in Grenoble, France. The gallant Hubert, dapper in a three-piece suit, tie and tennis shoes (I later discovered this was somewhat of a uniform), met us at the station. We had foolishly hopped the train in the late afternoon the day before in Paris without securing seat assignments and ended up sitting in the aisle on our suitcases all night. This particular train, the “milk run,” had stopped in every nook and cranny as it meandered along toward the French Alps.
A man of education and culture, oddly enough, Hubert spoke not one word of English. I, on the other hand, spoke not one word of French and was discovering just how unhandy that was. Hubert, always courtly, bowed, kissed my hand in the old-fashioned French tradition, and immediately stole his way into my heart.
As he drove us from the station, he asked me what I wanted to do and being very young and full of energy, despite sitting up all night, I replied, “play tennis!” Despite the early hour, he took us straight to a tennis court, where I found him to be quite an accomplished player.
A designer with his own advertising firm, Hubert’s formal education had been in art and engineering. But during World War II, he had to resort to running his father’s leather business to try to make ends meet, with a wife and six hungry mouths to feed. By the time I met him, however, he was quite comfortable and he and his family divided their time between an apartment in Grenoble and a summer home in St. Ismier, a charming nearby village.
From the tennis court we headed for the summer home. You can imagine the surprise of this teenage California girl when we arrived at an enormous three-story French chateau that had once been a monastery. Formerly the chapel, a cross still hung over the claw foot tub in the bathroom, a tub so enormous it took nearly an hour to fill with water. There was only a single toilet in a dank closet for the 8-bedroom residence—indoor plumbing was unknown when the structure had been built—which was inconvenient but terribly French and picturesque. The gardens were filled with wild flowers and amazing butterflies with views of the Alps from every balcony.
Each weekday at noon, Hubert drove out from the city to the summerhouse for le déjeuner, the main meal of the day. The food was fantastique! Course after course, beginning with, for example, un pâté de foie gras, followed by a simple soupe de poisson, next the entrée, perhaps l’entrecôte picked up that morning at the local boucherie, garnished with mint and surrounded by des petites pommes de terre. We would chat and rest a bit, clear the big table where the entire family sat (all the siblings and their families would come visit in the summer), up to 25 of us at a time, and then continue with the meal, with la salade, les fromages (an entire course all of its own, with at least 6 or 8 cheeses to choose from), with une bagette from a nearby boulangerie, then les fruits, and finally, le desert, perhaps une tarte aux pommes straight out of the oven, followed by un cafe out on the terrace. I joined Hubert in the smoking of Gauloise, cigarettes so strong they made my head spin (which I was loathe to admit).
At the table, the family would speak of art and religion and politics and music and sports, especially the sports of skiing and mountain climbing, my personal favorites. After a few hours listening to la famille, I had picked up a few words and phrases and, always wanting to be part of the action, I leapt right into the lunch conversation by boldly exclaiming “comme excitée d’être en France!“ (how exciting to be in France!) Hubert and the rest of the family chuckled in amusement. I later learned that “exciter” is a verb that refers to sexual excitement, not at all the meaning I was trying to convey.
On the weekends, my father-in-law would paint. A gifted water colorist, Hubert could knock out one amazing watercolor after another in less than an hour. It was breathtaking to watch. He could have had a career as an artist, but he treated it more like a hobby, perhaps fearing it would not have been stable enough income for a man with so many children. I attended shows of his work in France and realized that he had quite a gift. And his artistic talents did not end there: he was also a sculptor and a musician, playing an ancient instrument that predated the violin.
We made annual treks to visit la famille every year, and each time my French would improve. A frantically busy lawyer and sports enthusiast at home in the US in those early, heady days of marriage, I never could seem to find the time to make a proper study of the language. Each time we returned to France, it was a shock stepping off the plane in Paris and suddenly switching into this very foreign language. My French husband, otherwise quite pliable, refused to speak more than one language at a time (either English or French, but never the twain shall meet) so I was totally on my own once the plane had landed. Accents are easy for me to imitate, so I sound great but often don’t have a clue what I’m saying or what is being said to me. Many was the time I thought we were heading for le club but would find myself instead at le cathedral!
Hubert and my mother-in-law visited us in the U.S. every year. This was quite a shock to a young American bride, not accustomed to regular month-long family visits, a European tradition. My in-laws were intrepid travelers, ready to follow us to the base of our frequent mountain climbs. Hubert was always game for hiking the highest mountain or heading out on the longest bike ride, even well into his early 90’s. On one memorable trip, we had stopped for gas early on in the 5-hour trip, and when we arrived home, our beloved dog, Dolly, was missing from the car. Hubert had let her out of the car at the gas station, then forgotten to put her back in—one of the many cultural differences I encountered over the years. It was a long drive back to pick up a very small dog.
On one of his many visits to the U.S., when Hubert was in his 80’s, I was studying with a spiritual teacher who lived about an hour away from our home. One day, I invited him to go with me and I recall his utter surprise to find that she, in her 90’s, was even older than he. He was totally game for almost anything intellectual and loved having a long discussion about spirituality. And though I had learned passable French in the meantime, sufficient for day-to-day conversation, I wasn’t ever really able to converse at his more philosophical level. Even so, Hubert was always delighted to see me and easy to have around. He had been very stern with his own children in their youth, as was the tradition of his time, but age had softened him considerably.
In fact, during Hubert’s last ten years he changed a lot. Very much like the four stages of life as described in Hinduism—the student, the householder, the retired person, and finally the ascetic—Hubert entered the fourth stage and became the ascetic. After 65 years of marriage, his wife died. They had long ago sold the magnificent summerhouse, the apartment in Cannes, the grand apartment in Grenoble, and, in the European tradition, lived frugally on the proceeds, never adopting our American more profligate, spendthrift ways. Hubert, not wanting to be encumbered by possessions in his final years, ultimately gave away the last few possessions he owned—his watercolors, his sculptors, his furniture—and moved into a monastic setting, a home for retired priests. He even gave up the Catholic guilt that had caused him so much unhappiness in life. His prolific letters, always poetic and philosophical, became even more focused on the meaning of life.
He got more real—the courtly manners, which had often disguised his real emotions, no longer hid anything. Rather than medicate himself in his final years, as we are inclined, he stayed as aware as possible, even after he fell off his bike at 90 and needed a hip replacement. He cheerfully spoke of being ready to die and did so yesterday, just a few hours shy of his 95th birthday. He was a shining example of the spiritual resurgence that can come towards the end of life.
Adieu Hubert.
A lovely tribute and a lovely life. Sorry for your loss, Eric and Deborah. Rest well, Mr. Hubert. Sincerely,
Carmella
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:22Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story if life and so uplifting to me and motivating to be as real as i can be. Thanks, to you both.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:28I live in Boston, moved here from Ireland when i was 18 young, now 52 and so resonated with all the story, including as a mother of 5 beautiful children, cycles we go through. This is beautiful food for thought.Your sharing is greatly appreciated and healing.
What a beautiful way to start the day, reading such a touching tribute. Deborah, you are living the life I have always dreamt about. Thank you for the inspiration!
Adieu Hubert…à bientôt!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:38What an amazing man and collection of memories! Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings to Hubert and his time here on earth. Your struggles with the language reminded me of my own with German…I have made many a funny faux pas among family & friends (a slip of a word can make all the difference;) One time I was trying to say that the mountain was steep and instead I said it was sexually excited. I’ll never live that one down – ha!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:41Chère Deborah,
merci beaucoup de nous avoir laissé participé a cette belle histoire!
Je suis contente que tu ais fait la connaissance de la France et des francais.
Le pays et ses habitants peuvent être inspiring, on peut y découvrir une toute nouvelle facon de vivre.
Even if I’m not far away from France, as Germany is a neighbour, going there to live for two years was an unforgettably enriching adventure.
Apart from learning the language and getting to know the amazing landscape, I especially loved their ways of “dining” and welcoming guests. And still today, my guests are always being served l’apero where we can chat quite a considerable time, before starting dinner.
So, I can relate to so much what you’ve shared with us! Hubert resembles quite a bit to a French gentlemen I encountered there. I’m still grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him as he has helped me to feel more and more at home in his country!
To Hubert and the wonderful time you were able to enjoy together! Adieu!
Warm regards from Munich,
Juliane
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:46Deborah,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:48I feel Hubert brought me to your wonderful site, Adieu physically but connecting, busy as usual i’m sure. I have never been on your site until i read this beautiful life tribute and you both motivated me from your beautiful sharing of what matters most. I am a mother of 5 children, like i said came here to Boston when i was 18, now 52. I am a LMT and energy worker, trying to work through my stuff and be a beacon of light as i shine light on my own shadows that are coming forth now, please send me some of your beautiful healing energy to give me courage to keep on going strong in the name of love. Thank you Deborah and Hubert, union of Heaven & Earth today. Someday i intend to meet you and learn some more from you both.
Have a wonderful day!!!!
Martha.
Dear Deborah,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:52What a beautiful tribute to your father-in-law, Hubert. Your words painted a picture of an elegant, kind, “live life to the fullest”, intelligent, and extremely creative man. Love of family and old time traditions ring clear through out and I am very sorry for you, Eric and family for the loss of this vibrant man.
Thanks for the beautiful tribute to your father-in-law. I love the water colors!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:58What a delightful man! There is safeness in his passing but so much joy in his memory.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 05:59My heartfelt sympathy to both you and Eric. Thank you for sharing this short but beautiful history of a man filled with the passion for life.
Many Blessings Johannes
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:03Beautiful story, so heartfelt and colourful! thanks for sharing with us! I feel like I know a part of your family now and a part of Hubert.. x prita
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:03Hi Deborah, what a lovely story and what an incredible man. So glad to know him in a way. I love his paintings. SOOOO glad you found Dolly!!!!! what a relief. lots of love
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:06Thank you for sharing such inspiration !
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:11Deborah,
You painted that picture so beautifully. I felt as if I were right there. He truly was a gifted man and lived his life fully.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know he will be missed.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:24What a beautiful tribute to your father-in-law. May he live peacefully in the light, still with you, I’m sure.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:29Dear Deborah and Eric,
So sorry for your loss! This is a beautiful article; speaking of him so graciously. He sounds like someone so interesting to know. I enjoyed the read and his paintings are stunning!!
Love to you both,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:53Melodie Tharp
Truly I want to give you my sympathy yet also my congratulations on a life so well lived, a passing so sweet and your sharing that was filled with so much love. Viva le Hubert!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:54Deborah, First of all let me say what an amazing storyteller you are. I didn’t skip reading a word of your beautiful tribute to Hubert. I can feel from your words what a remarkable man he was and what a gift it must have been to be a part of his life. My heart goes out to you and Eric, having been given this glimpse of Hubert’s spirit. His beautiful watercolors appear just as you described them – like they effortlessly flowed from a true artist. Thank you for sharing this portrait of your father-in-law and the memorable life that he led.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 06:56Beautiful writeup on your fil. Life becomes more meaningful when one appreciates the people in one’s life. Everyone comes & exits from this earth plane and only the memories remain and make it worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing about your wonderful & inspiring fil, Hubert.
Warm Rgds,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 07:19Jayanti
Beautiful. De toute beauté.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 07:22Thanks, Deborah.
This was beautifully written. What a lovely tribute to your father-in-law,and what a fantastic person he must have been. He was also a gifted water-colour artist and has definitely made his mark and left some valuable jewels behind. R.I.P. Hubert.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 07:36What an honor for you to share this wonderful man with us.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 07:46I read with great interest about your late father-in-law. What a beautiful eulogy you wrote to him, we get to know him pretty well through your words.
Toutes mes condoleances.
Thank you for sharing.
Cloe C:)
@ January 24th, 2012 at 07:47Thanks for sharing Hubert’s wonderful life. He looks terrific in that picture.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 07:55What am amazing gentleman thank you for sharing, i feel as if I had known him because of his beautiful aura. It was a privilege to share his story. What a fortunate man Eric was to have had such a elevated person as his father and you Deborah to have him as a father in law. You were indeed blessed! My salutations and prostrations at his feet and until we meet again Namaste. Life never ends there is always a continuity. So long Hubert, Blessings. Sulosh
@ January 24th, 2012 at 07:58What a beautiful story — and well told.I’ve known a couple of people like Hubert. Both lived in Europe — well then, so did I. Now at 81, your story makes me feel young again — Personally, I’m aiming for another 19 years to hit that hundred mark, and I intend to keep on working and coaching until I do . . . but I refuse to enter a monastery!
Thanks, I enjoyed that.
Larry
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:01Thank you for sharing such a gracious story with us. I am sending heart felt thoughts for Eric and yourself to make this transition of him moving to the other side with gace and ease.. While I know that this is a process and they really only go to the other side…it is somedays still an adjustment, no mattter who we are and out gifts. I send love and light to you both.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:04Deborah,
My deepest condolenses to you and your husband. I just finished reading your article on Hubert and he definitely lived a full and beautiful life. How wonderful for you to be a part of it. Thank you for sharing this with us….
Love,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:05Robbie
Dear Deborah,
You so beautifully honored this special man, your father-in-law Hubert, in this story about his life and what you loved so much about him. What an inspiration to life and his family…thank you for sharing him with us today. My condolences to Eric’s family & YOU..but Im sure it is more a time of celebration of his life than feeling sadness or loss. He lived such a full and amazing long life and seemed to really find his true happiness and connected to his divinity very deeply in the afternoon of his life. The world was Blessed to have him here just as we are blessed to have you to so eloquently illuminate us through your gift of story and words of wisdom.
For this reason, We honor You today also!
Blessings and gratitude Always, Suzanne and the 21stC Energy Medicine Program Family
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:07What a beautiful life. A wonderful story you wrote and the paintings are amazing.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:13Much love to you and your family at this time.
Hi Deborah and Eric,
I enjoyed reading this wonderful tribute to Hubert! I am thinking of you during this difficult time. I too, have an elderly mother and elderly father in law that I am quite fond of — who is also in his asthetic phase. My husband and I always chuckle about how “wizened” he always looks.
The two of you have such generous hearts and you provide such a great service to the spiritual community. I hope, during this hard time, that you can find comfort in the community that you serve so well. We all love you!
Monica Jackson
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:15McLean, Virginia
what a fantastic example he set for his family and now his extended family, me. sending reiki for you and yours as you remember and honor such a beautiful man. sincerely, lisa g
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:35What a wonderful piece. Thanks for sharing Deborah. Love to you and Eric.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:40This is beautiful Deborah. My love to you and Eric.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:43Natalie
Oh, that is lovely, Deborah. Thank you for sharing this very poignant story..it was as if I was there; strolling through time with you. Adieu Hubert. Thank you for your Light and Love–Lisa
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:46Hi Deborah,
My deepest sympathy, mes plus sincères condoléances.
Great post about your father in-law. As a Frenchman living in the Netherlands, and having lived in the UK, I can very much relate to your story and the cultural differences. Very nicely put.
Kind regards,
Bruno
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:48Deborah,
What a wonderful story of a extraordinary man. How fortunate you were to have him in your life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Eric.
Sincerely,
Joanne
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:50Thank you Deborah – what a beautiful story showing your deep love for Hubert. You were clearly both lucky to have each other in your lives.
Ruth
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:53xxxx
Dear Eric and Deborah ,
My condolences with the passing of your Father (in Law).
Thanks for the beautiful eulogy you shared. Doesn’t it show how important the emotions are we leave behind for our family, friends and everybody we touch?
After a life lived like that, we can have peace when they go, ready for the next stage.
(My father in Law passed last year, a few weeks short of 95 and we were blessed to be with him in Holland when that happened. He said” I am ready to go, there is nothing to be said or done anymore.” It really gave us rest and peace, knowing he fulfilled his destiny.
May Hubert rest in peace and look down on you together with all your ancestors.
Love,
José
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:55Condolences! So happy you were able to be a part of this man’s wonderful life.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 08:55Thank you so much, Deborah, for sharing that with us. Sounds like such a charming man!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:07Deborah, what a wonderful tribute to your father-in-law, Hubert. It sounds like he gave you many gifts with his presence in your life, and I am sure that you offered gifts to him as well. He was a remarkable man. I am sure you will carry many memories and perhaps “spiritual” visits from him in the future as well. Coincidently, yesterday was my father’s birthday. He passed on in 2004.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:07Deborah,
I am sorry for your loss and will think of you and your family in my prayers. What a wonderful story and family. Thank you for sharing your story. I believe you will see him again.
Kindly,
Steve Spataro
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:13Thank you Deborah for sharing this lovely story. Being the Francophile that I am I can absolutment appreciate your attempt at one of the most beautiful languages in the world and I was SO THERE when you were describing the dejeuner experience. I KNOW that every morsel of that meal was superb et supreme! I know it well.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:16What a gift to have known Hubert. I love his paintings and I love his aura so strongly emanating from his photo. ( is that a leather vest he’s wearing???? How COOl is He!!!
Merci Merci Merci !!
I can see from this picture a man full of love and spirit that belongs in nature and comes from the mountains. The spirit of this man is surely in his son Eric. I have meet Eric only once in my life and he has what his father left him. The love of nature.
Celebrate a powerful life. Richard
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:17What a beautiful story! Love it.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:18What a beautiful story and tribute to a very interesting man. Peace to you Hubert.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:29Thank you Deborah. What a beautiful homage to Your father in law. I certainly capture the summer visits to France you describe so vividly. Your word waken up dormant memories, in some way similar to yours. Thank you for sharing Hubert’s watercolors. They are really amazing pieces and bring back his presence in this work to be notices with beauty and love. Thank you for sharing. Love to all of you in these moments.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:36Gloria
What a BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE! Makes me wish I had known him personally. Thank you for sharing.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:51Thank you for sharing your blessings with your father-in-law. It’s always wonderful when we meet people that make a difference in our lives, simply by being. Love and prayers. – Ms. Jagvir
@ January 24th, 2012 at 09:56What a wonderful story! He sounds a lot like my gradmother/mother that reared me. She too was ready when it was time to cross over.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 10:00Very lovely tribute to this man who obviously meant so much to you. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Deborah.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 10:18Dear Deborah,
My heart reaches out to you.
What a beautiful tribute…….thank you for sharing him in this way,
I wish I had known him. i wished I had purchased one of his paintings, especially the first one on this page.
Rhona
@ January 24th, 2012 at 10:31Dear Deborah,
Thank you for an inspiring message so beautifully expressed. I have just turned 80 and feel younger than ever, and I love to read such a story. Deb Vetter loaned me your book
Truth Heals which I have just finished. It gives me a really good push to continue on with my story which I have expressed through poetry, journal ling, sculpture, drawing,
etc. etc. I have more to uncover, so thank you for being in my life.
With deep appreciation,
Gwynn Kelley
@ January 24th, 2012 at 10:48A heartfelt tribute for a remarkable man. Thank you for sharing Hubert with us and we rejoice his transition to the spiritual realm on the other side. God Bless you all.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 10:52Deborah, You are such an amazing, beautiful writer.
Thank you for sharing this story with me/us. It was a pleasure to read.
Love and Light to You.
Laura
@ January 24th, 2012 at 10:53Sounds like an amazing man, thank you for sharing this sweet story about Hubert
@ January 24th, 2012 at 11:01How privileged you must feel in the opportunity to know and love such a remarkable man! And to continue to have him with you energetically and be able to share his spirit.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 11:05Thank you, Deborah and Eric, for sharing this sweet story about your life and of your father-in-law.
I send you my heart-felt thoughts and prayers to your family at this sad time for you.
I send you LOVE and LIGHT to heal your hearts.
Blessings, Patti
@ January 24th, 2012 at 11:22Beautiful and inspiring!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 11:30Thank you so much for
this honoring of a life
well lived.
**Many Blessings**
What a beautiful account of a human life that you shared with another. Blessings to you all x
@ January 24th, 2012 at 11:40What a beautiful story. A life well lived. May he rest in peace. God Bless.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 11:56Hubert sounds like one amazing spiritual being who enjoyed life completely…
@ January 24th, 2012 at 12:03Lovely….
@ January 24th, 2012 at 12:29Thank you for sharing your lovely memories of such a wonderful man. How blessed you who shared his life are. May you memories keep you company till you meet again
@ January 24th, 2012 at 12:51Sorry for your loss! He sounds like he had a beautiful life! I met you Deborah at the book signing at the I Can Do It Conference in Tampa. Loved it and so wish I could come out to your teaching in Arizona. Anyway, sending you, your husband and all who love Hubert peace and love!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 13:14Deborah, what a beautiful expression of your relationship to Adieu, your father in-law. I appreciate the love and respect you have for him. I feel sad to hear of his transition and happy for him in the way he lived his life till the end. Thinking of you and Eric at this time. So very beautiful!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 13:19You and your husband were very lucky to have this man for as long as you did. He sounds like a very special person who definitley lived his life as he wished and accomplished all the things he wanted to. From what you have written it is very evident how much he influenced you and your life. Sorry to hear he is gone but he left you both so much.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 13:40Deborah,
I am sorry about the passing of your father-in-law, but what a wonderful story you told about him! His art is beautiful and it sounds like he lived a great life before passing to the next. I wish him well in his new “home,” and I wish for you and your family the peace of knowing that he lived a good life and now is with the angels.
My father is 90 and has just been diagnosed with advanced cancer. We will continue to treasure each moment we have with him, just as you did with your father-in-law.
Sally
@ January 24th, 2012 at 14:20How beautifully you write about him. Through your writing I feel as though I could touch his soul. The water colors are quite lovely too. If only I had a daughter-in-law like you to do the same for me when I am gone.
And to your father-in-law, leaving life is not a shame when you have lived it right. Having shed light in the world, I’m so glad your story is told.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 14:30Carmella,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 14:45Thank you for your kind words.
Deborah
Martha,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 14:46I’m delighted that this was so uplifting for you!
Deborah
Hello dear Deborah,
I saw you in Fort Lauderdale and did not know Éric was French !
I live in Montréal, Québec, Canada but visit France every year and love that country, as we are the descendants of the French from the 17th Century…
My condoleances to you and Éric.
See you soon, I hope.
Love
Claudette
@ January 24th, 2012 at 14:56Deborah:
I am so sorry for your loss. A million blessings to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your story of this wonderful man. Viva la Hubert!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 15:04What a beautiful tribute to living life to the fullest. What an honor to have had him in your life. Thank you for sharing.
Susan
@ January 24th, 2012 at 15:31Yvonne,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 15:48Glad to hear you’re inspired! Remember, you are in charge of your own destiny.
Deborah
Deborah,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 15:59What a lovely, moving tribute to a wonderful man. How fortunate you are to have shared in his love of life and family. Wishing you the strength you and Eric will need at this time, and sending light and love to you and your family.
Best,
Ginny
Dear Deborah:
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story with us. Sending love and light, and hope you still have your horse(s) nearby – for horse hugs, the best thing in the world!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 16:03Dear Deborah,
Thank you for the lovely message honoring the life of Hubert. I found it touching and inspiring. What a remarkable human being!
How fitting that you included some of his beautiful watercolors.
May you, and your husband and family find comfort in your loss.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Ferguson
@ January 24th, 2012 at 16:34Deborah and Eric:
my deep condoleces on the passing of such an important family member. I loved the story thanks for sharing.
hugs
gaby
@ January 24th, 2012 at 16:46What a lovely tribute to Hubert, Deborah. Thank you for capturing his life and your relationship with him and his family so beautifully in your story. Your descriptions of is transitions as he got older are truly inspiring for all of us. Thank you for teaching us through your own life experiences about being present and reminding us of what it can be like to choose how to live until the day we no longer choose to do so. Blessings to you and Eric. What a privilege to know and love a great man like Hubert.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 16:47Dear Deborah, after reading your lovely tribute to Hubert I am touched by his gentle yet strong spirit and the beauty he created in this world. Thank you for sharing his story. May you feel peace and happiness in your thoughts of him. A life well lived.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 17:08Dear Deborah & Eric,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 18:29My heart is with you,
Love & Blessings,
and party in heaven.
Carmina
Dear Deborah King,
A beautiful and inspiring tribute to your father in law, Hubert a man you loved so very much and touched your life so deeply. You have been so very blessed on your life’s journey. The people you have meet and shared your life with inspire all of us to try to achieve similar goals. My deepest sympathy to you during this difficult time, but I truly believe we are meant in some way by the Universe to be with the people we are blessed to share our lives with. You are an incredible soul with so much to offer. Peace and Light to you, now and always.
Mary
@ January 24th, 2012 at 18:44Dear Deborah King,
In deepest sympathy on your loss!
Mary
@ January 24th, 2012 at 18:46Dear Deborah,
@ January 24th, 2012 at 18:55Thank you for sharing us part of your beautiful life and family. Sorry for your loss!
I am sure your dear Hubert is watching and loving you from the light where he is now.
With my love,
MaryLuz
Deborah,
What a touching tribute to your father-in law… a colorful and multi-dimensional figure! Thank you for your beautiful description of his life and how this wonderful man impacted yours. May the richness of sharing this life with him be a comfort to you and inspiration of a life FULLY LIVED….. My loving thoughts and prayers are with you and Eric ….. Sincerely, Carol
@ January 24th, 2012 at 19:02Wow, What an inspiring man! If I only have that getupngo! My get upngo got upnwent as mom always says Ane I’m only 56. God that feels old. Thank you for such a story. You did a wonderful job of portraying his life I hope you have visits still! I’d luv to go thru ur school. Money an issue right now. Godbless, Violetter Great watercolor!
@ January 24th, 2012 at 19:11Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, Deborah. I can feel so much love in this relationship with this very interesting man. I find, him, giving up his worldly possession at his later years to be inspiring. I Love his art work, as a “new bie” with painting, this too inpires me. Your memories will live on as well as your father in laws spirit. How i love all of your stories Deborah. I have not traveled as you have, even though i know my path is vital and on purpose. I feel like I am traveling with you in your stories. Thank you on so many levels. Blessings.
@ January 24th, 2012 at 19:31A warm and gracious tribute, Deborah, and beautiful artwork! Thank you for sharing.
@ January 25th, 2012 at 15:03A very beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all.
@ January 25th, 2012 at 18:00Thank you so much for such a warm and heartfelt remembrance. Your work continues to bring to my life many new perspectives, for which I am grateful. I was just thinking, after having read your beautiful story, how much more joyful we could make the transition of loved ones, if we could focus more on the wonder each life held.
@ January 25th, 2012 at 18:44Much peace and love to your family.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and tribute to your husbands father. His vitality and will to live life to the fullest until 95 is empowering and inspiring. Thanks again for all you do. Much love to you and yours,
Wilda
@ January 25th, 2012 at 18:53What a beautiful, touching and inspiring tribute to Hubert, your father-in-law, a very special being. Thank you for sharing with us. Love and support to Eric and you.
@ January 25th, 2012 at 21:44Bien sûr Hubert est très Français, malheureusement à cet âge ils ne sont pas tous comme cela. La culture, l’expression, l’art de vivre, les conversations autour de la table, l’expression artistique cela fait rêver de ma douce France. Consommation n’étant pas le moyen de se définir en France contrairement en Silicone Vallée ou je vis depuis 35 ans, c’est réconfortant de voir le détachement d’Hubert en fin de vie. Peut-être était-il un sage, enfin il avait acquis de la sagesse très certainement. Je ne manquerai pas de me servir de son exemple.
@ January 25th, 2012 at 23:50Merci Deborah de partager avec nous Hubert.
That was so beautifully and eloquently written Deborah. Having lost, my mother, brother and cousin just in this last year, this story brought me to tears and inspired me to contemplate their lives in a very different and perhaps humble way. Thank you!
@ January 26th, 2012 at 06:18Deborah, what a great story. He was such a wonderful gifted man. It makes me think of my mother in her 90s and how I love to sit and listen to her stories about the “old days”.
@ January 26th, 2012 at 11:26Hi Deborah,
How lucky you were to know such a man! What beautiful writing on your part. His life story reiterates my feelings of not living my life to the fullest and I need to change it right now.
The other day I was having a hard time focusing and came across your chakra meditation on one of your shows. It really helped me to focus so I could finish my work.
Thanks for your wisdom and sharing it!
@ January 26th, 2012 at 12:46Goodness, what a wonderful story about a wonderful relationship with an extraordinary person.
@ January 26th, 2012 at 13:33Thank you so much for sharing, in such a delightful way, your experiences with your father in law. He sounds like he was a great influence in your life, and you in his.
Blessings to you, Eric and Hubert.
Peace n love.
Thank you, Rebecca for your kind words. I’m thrilled that my father-in-law’s story was so inspiring for you!
@ January 26th, 2012 at 18:07Deborah
Thank you, Ying-Ling!
@ January 26th, 2012 at 18:08Deborah
My pleasure, Kathi! Thank you for reading.
@ January 26th, 2012 at 21:53Deborah
Dear Deborah
Sincere condolences for the loss of your father-in-law, and of course to your husband Eric.
From what you described about Hubert I get the feeling that he was a man who lived from the heart, who saw life as an adventure, and cherished the present moment, in spite of some of the past. Yes, I see what you mean that there is a message here in your tribute to Hubert.
We are here to enjoy life, appreciate the beauty of this world, follow our passions, and live in the moment.
Love and blessings to you Deborah and Eric
@ January 27th, 2012 at 07:24What a beautiful piece about such a beautiful man. So elegantly told. I only wish my father would be ok with the idea of death. He is on hospice and is so very scared to die. When I try to share with him how it really is, he gets angry.
Please accept my condolences, for I’m sure there is a large hole in all your lives for a while.
@ January 27th, 2012 at 21:46Dearest Deborah & Eric,
@ January 27th, 2012 at 22:12I am so sorry for your loss! When I heard, I started sending out prayers & love to you both & to the family. I have such a hard time with passing that your radio show helped me alot! What a beautiful life Hubert lived! Thank You Deborah! Suzanne
A very insightful and beautiful tribute to what sounds like a very special man.
@ January 29th, 2012 at 03:28Thanks so much for sharing.
Hello Deborah and Eric,
@ January 29th, 2012 at 13:00Thank-you for sharing the relationship you had with your father in law. He sounds like he lived life to the fullest and you were able to witness his life with joy and passion and he yours. What a lovely tribute.
I hope Eric is journalling his loss as you encourage us to do in times like these, and that you are a comfort to each other.
Thinking of you both and sending loving light and energy your way.
Vij
Allo Deborah and Eric
I am grateful to you for sharing your wonderful family story with all of us.it is well put that his life is so heartfelt within the words.
Such a loving tribute. A reminder that only love is real
My heart goes out to both during this time of loss may God bless you and your family, take all the time you need to heal from missing him physically, those of us who lost love ones share the emptiness with you
Quelle heureuse famille il avait Hubert! Adieu
love and light Yolande
@ January 29th, 2012 at 19:16Dear Deborah,
I was touched by your beautiful tribute to your father-in-law. The overview of his life and his stages of growth serve as a map for the rest of us. Your letter captured the essence of the man and I feel as if I knew him. I was moved to tears at the end.
My condolences to your husband and to you for your loss. Of course, he will forever live on in your hearts.
Kindest Regards,
Avis Attaway
@ January 31st, 2012 at 10:01Hello Avis,
@ January 31st, 2012 at 10:05Thank you so much for taking the time to ready this story that is so near and dear to me. I appreciate your kind words.
Deborah
Aloha Deborah & Eric. Mahalo (thank you) for sharing this wonderful tribute to your father/father-in-law. You wrote so eloquently that I found myself visualizing his paintings, the summer home, etc. What a wonderful life he led. God bless you both during this time of loss and may you share many wonderful memories together. Love & Hugs, Carla “Pua”
@ February 5th, 2012 at 13:34