Some people say that we are here on this earth to learn life’s lessons. If we don’t learn our lesson we are doomed to repeat this life until we get it right. Claire LaCocque I think was one of the few that had already learned her lessons and I think she was put on this earth to teach us!

I’ve only known Claire and Andre for a few years even though they have been coming to our restaurant for years as they live next door to our hotel. I have for years felt like the late child they adopted. Only I think they took me only because they liked my wife more and I was part of the package.

As I said Claire was here to teach us by my observations. I wasn’t to suprised to learn that as a profession  she had been a teacher. To me it was obvious. But even though she taught french in a school that wasn’t what she taught in reality.

When I saw Claire all I saw was what I called “Pure Love.” I don’t care who you were, thats what she exuded. She also seemed to be selfless. If you were next to her she made you feel imortant, wanted, cared for, loved. All of this came from this pettite frail little woman despite the fact that the last few years she suffered greatly with the fraility of her body that medicine and doctors couldn’t seem to cure.

All that I have written so far was what I had in my head prior to the funeral. What I learned at the funeral blew me away even more. This woman who was from Belgium as a young child was caught up in the middle of the war. Despite the German occupation and the constant threat of being shipped off to a concentration camp her heart grew strong and love was within this special being. She did lose family, friends and her childhood during the war. She somehow became a woman who saw only goodness in everyone and she brought it out with everyone she met as far as I could tell in my few short years of knowing her and Andre.

After having met them I was feeling that they were always watching over me. They literally were, from their condo perched higher up next door in the high rise that towered over our hotel. I’d like to think that she’s just has a higher seat now because she’s looking after Andre and all of us now.

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down

Finally the guys’ side of the story.

We always hear the rules From the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules!
Please note.. these are all numbered “1 ” ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You’re a big girl. If it’s up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don’t hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports It’s like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That’s what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you’re fat, you probably are. Don’t ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it your self.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say “nothing,” We will act like nothing’s wrong. We know you are lying , but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don’t want an answer to, Expect an answer you don’t want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine…Really.

1. Don’t ask us what we’re thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, football, cars or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don’t mind that? It’s like camping.