Dad was the pure definition of what the French label joie de vivre, which roughly translated means “exuberant enjoyment of life.” I’m not sure about that definition. My own experience is that the French love to feel. They take in the full experience of great loves and great tragedies without backing down or crouching into some sort of defensive stance. If life is going to punch them in the face, they stick their chins out and savor the moment. That is living life to the fullest.
