We weathered the storm in Phoenix. More, in today's letter. (Pictured, my niece "Ray-Ray".)
remonter le moral
: to lift one's spirits, to cheer somebody up
Audio File: listen to the following words: Download MP3 or Wav file
A Phoenix, je suis allée rendre visite à ma soeur pour lui remonter le moral. I went to Phoenix to visit my sister and cheer her up.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
I made a pact with my family when I offered to come to Phoenix last month. I wouldn't tell anyone I was visiting. This way, instead of juggling the where and when and how to meet up with friends–I could focus on just one thing: ma soeur.
I felt terrible about the unfriendly omission, but travelling from Marseille to Paris–on to Dallas then Phoenix–I had one goal in mind: to help my sister during a difficult time. And though I knew local friends would be happy to assist, this was a sensitive and personal time punctuated by delays and changes of plans.
To ease the guilt of not contacting friends, I reminded myself I was on standby–I was here in the desert to stand by my sister. The current situation at Heidi's was stop and go. We'd be headed to the garage, to pack up its contents, or on our way for a needed coffee break when my sister's cell phone would ring again. With it the familiar sinking feeling….
I would look over at my sister, watching as her strength kicked in yet again. Clutching her phone, her eyes blinked as she tried to focus. For a moment she quit biting her lips. But when she hung up the phone the latest news sank in, along with those gnawing teeth.
Despite the atmosphere, we laughed as much as we could. Still, it wasn't funny to witness the doors closing all around my sister–and sometimes falling off the hinge!
When the knob fell off the kitchen drawer as I was putting away the silverware, Heidi said don't worry about it. I watched her reach down, pick it up, and jam it back into place before carrying on with dinner, the laundry, and the kids' homework.
And when I went to step into the shower my sister warned, "That one doesn't work." Then, when I dried my hands at the towel rack, it fell, hitting the tile counter-top with a loud clang!
I used the powder room with trepidation. The glass wine cooler that was stored there made these menacing popping sounds. I was sure the minute I sat down the ice box facing me would detonate, sending shards of glass flying! As my body anticipated the sharp-edged attack I could feel what it must be like for my sister to live in this constant state of alert, never knowing what was around the corner.
Driving back from the airport my sister rolled down her window to let in the evening breeze–but we both startled when the glass dropped–right into the door unit below. The cool night air turned into a cold chill that had my niece (in the back seat) asking for the window to be rolled up again. "I'm sorry, Honey. It's broken."
I listened to my sister comfort her daughter, who now needed a blanket. That missing blanket spoke volumes.
"Here, Ray-Ray. Take my coat." I smiled handing my jacket to my 10-year-old niece. But it would take more than a few down feathers to comfort a family in transition.
Thankfully our Aunt and Uncle arrived, bringing with them good cheer. Next, Marsha and Dad came to offer long walks and funny stories for my niece and nephew. And, last but not least, Brian was there– having been there all along.
***
Post note:
It's tricky to tell a story without telling the story. I hope I was able to update you, all the same, on last month's "sabbatical." I'm happy to say that if all those doors were closing behind my sister, a great big door has opened before her and, with it, a soul-mate to carry her over the threshold.
At the Camelback Inn, Phoenix. That's my nephew, Payne. But we call him Blurr–that's how fast he is on the football field! There's my niece Reagan–and that's me, left, and my sister, right. Hugged in between us are Marsha and Dad.
With my niece. Brian calls her "Small Fry" and she loves the French translation Petite Frite. Hello Petite Frite, are you keeping up with our French Word-A-Day agreement? Love, Big Fritte.
(Maybe you are wondering "Why the black down coat in Phoenix?" That's because we were also in Denver… Denver friends, I promise to meet up next time. Thanks for your understanding!)
As you can see, my sister is surrounded by support. But wishes of bon courage never hurt anyone…. (That's Brian, right, and Luci and Linus, Brian's sheepdogs, front.)
Everyone loves this holiday CD! Listen to A French Christmas and "Mon Beau Sapin", "Saint Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant". Order CD here.
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Must be nice to have family support when times are rough. Beautiful story one does not see often enough.
Must be nice to have family support when times are rough. Beautiful story one does not see often enough.
Those of us who live (or have lived) away from our home towns have all snuck in for more focused visits. Friends understand. You are a wonderful sister and friend
.
Those of us who live (or have lived) away from our home towns have all snuck in for more focused visits. Friends understand. You are a wonderful sister and friend
.
Glad that you are home again, hint earlier about kittens-said you did not come home after cruise. Hope Heidi is inafe hands.
Glad that you are home again, hint earlier about kittens-said you did not come home after cruise. Hope Heidi is inafe hands.
Kristin. . . What a great mission of support! Sorry I missed you in Phoenix, but I understand.
For Heidi, trouble seems to come in bunches; like the words of a western song, “If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all”!
I like the French phrase…. C’est la vie, C’est la guerre, C’est la pomme de terre , but I also like the phrase, . . “This too will pass”!
À bientôt
Kristin. . . What a great mission of support! Sorry I missed you in Phoenix, but I understand.
For Heidi, trouble seems to come in bunches; like the words of a western song, “If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all”!
I like the French phrase…. C’est la vie, C’est la guerre, C’est la pomme de terre , but I also like the phrase, . . “This too will pass”!
À bientôt
Sometimes the journey is all uphill. With family and friends and love to surround, all is possible. Thank you for sharing the love of family.
Mary
Sometimes the journey is all uphill. With family and friends and love to surround, all is possible. Thank you for sharing the love of family.
Mary
Kristin, I am sending your Sister lots of Strength as she moves forward into this next phase of life. Oh, how wonderful to have such loving family around too! It does make all the difference in the world.
xo,
H
Kristin, I am sending your Sister lots of Strength as she moves forward into this next phase of life. Oh, how wonderful to have such loving family around too! It does make all the difference in the world.
xo,
H
Tien bon, largue pas as Reunionse creole says! Hang on, don’t give up! Bon courage for whatever is needed. You share your ups & downs with us all, the least we can do is showing you friendly support : there you are Heidi, you have it all! Take care, il y aura des jours meilleurs!
Tien bon, largue pas as Reunionse creole says! Hang on, don’t give up! Bon courage for whatever is needed. You share your ups & downs with us all, the least we can do is showing you friendly support : there you are Heidi, you have it all! Take care, il y aura des jours meilleurs!
Hi, Kristi. . .
How wonderful that you were able to spend a couple of weeks w/ Heidi & children! There’s nothing like a SISTER visit, all the more welcome & needed in this transitional period of Heidi’s life.
I was delighted that you were able to meet most of my family on Thanksgiving at Sue & Bob’s. . .i so longed to be there, too. I had just returned home, though, after babysitting our new 3 month old grandaughter in Chicago for 2 wks.
I am also delighted that french-word-a-day is BACK! Hooray!
Kathy
Hi, Kristi. . .
How wonderful that you were able to spend a couple of weeks w/ Heidi & children! There’s nothing like a SISTER visit, all the more welcome & needed in this transitional period of Heidi’s life.
I was delighted that you were able to meet most of my family on Thanksgiving at Sue & Bob’s. . .i so longed to be there, too. I had just returned home, though, after babysitting our new 3 month old grandaughter in Chicago for 2 wks.
I am also delighted that french-word-a-day is BACK! Hooray!
Kathy
I hope whatever your sister is going through, she will find strength and peace. I’m sure you were a great support! It is so nice to have family behind you to lift you up through the tough times.
I hope whatever your sister is going through, she will find strength and peace. I’m sure you were a great support! It is so nice to have family behind you to lift you up through the tough times.
Our daughters have said, through good and bad,
A Sister is a Forever Friend~
Our daughters have said, through good and bad,
A Sister is a Forever Friend~
That is what families are for: love and support and hopefully lots of love. I am glad you could be there for her.
I hold your sister and her family in my heart and prayers with the hope that she will heal and her life will be even better.
Tom
That is what families are for: love and support and hopefully lots of love. I am glad you could be there for her.
I hold your sister and her family in my heart and prayers with the hope that she will heal and her life will be even better.
Tom
What a wonderful story-never mind the inside- it was lovely to read. You are a kind sister.
What a wonderful story-never mind the inside- it was lovely to read. You are a kind sister.
Your post is especially poignant for me today. And Chris is right, a sister is a forever friend.
Your post is especially poignant for me today. And Chris is right, a sister is a forever friend.
Best wishes to Heidi and family. There is nothing like a sister’s love. Mine has helped me through all sorts of times and I am forever grateful. Love and sweet thoughts to all.
Best wishes to Heidi and family. There is nothing like a sister’s love. Mine has helped me through all sorts of times and I am forever grateful. Love and sweet thoughts to all.
Sometimes, the phrase “Keep on keepin’ on” is the best one can do for oneself. I send blessings to your sister, and hope that her transition will eventually bring her peace and even joy. The support of family and friends (sometimes they are one and the same) will mean a lot to her.
Regarding your ‘sabbatical’, I’m sure we are all delighted to have you back (home with us) but completely understand that Family comes First!
Sometimes, the phrase “Keep on keepin’ on” is the best one can do for oneself. I send blessings to your sister, and hope that her transition will eventually bring her peace and even joy. The support of family and friends (sometimes they are one and the same) will mean a lot to her.
Regarding your ‘sabbatical’, I’m sure we are all delighted to have you back (home with us) but completely understand that Family comes First!
It was great that you could spend time exclusively with your sister, to help her in her time of changes or troubles. Yes, you did tell that story without exposing all of her story, with a delicate touch.
Horseback riding in France and in the US — your daughter and her cousin can both do that sport? Did you ride horses in your wild youth, too?
It was great that you could spend time exclusively with your sister, to help her in her time of changes or troubles. Yes, you did tell that story without exposing all of her story, with a delicate touch.
Horseback riding in France and in the US — your daughter and her cousin can both do that sport? Did you ride horses in your wild youth, too?
hi all i must say what a lovely family photo but curiously i feel that i have met you all on the market at Bayeux – am i right? very best wishes for christmas and 2014. love your website and word a day Rita
hi all i must say what a lovely family photo but curiously i feel that i have met you all on the market at Bayeux – am i right? very best wishes for christmas and 2014. love your website and word a day Rita
KRISTIN..all families have rough spots, but not all families have a wonderfu person among them to help them over the bumpy parts. Heidi is lucky in life in many ways, but most of all she is so fortunate to have people around her who truly love and appreciate her! Broken knobs and windows are just things…. a loving family is something that can never be broken and just gets better with use! Welcome back to all of us.. and Joyeux et Bonne Annee at tous! Judi in Tallahassee
KRISTIN..all families have rough spots, but not all families have a wonderfu person among them to help them over the bumpy parts. Heidi is lucky in life in many ways, but most of all she is so fortunate to have people around her who truly love and appreciate her! Broken knobs and windows are just things…. a loving family is something that can never be broken and just gets better with use! Welcome back to all of us.. and Joyeux et Bonne Annee at tous! Judi in Tallahassee
Sorry to hear about Heidi’s negative situation, whatever it is. Always wished for a sister; she is fortunate to have one like you. Would have been oh, so surprised to run into you at Fashion Square or Camelback Inn! Friends will understand why you were here…no regrets, Kristin.
Sorry to hear about Heidi’s negative situation, whatever it is. Always wished for a sister; she is fortunate to have one like you. Would have been oh, so surprised to run into you at Fashion Square or Camelback Inn! Friends will understand why you were here…no regrets, Kristin.
So happy you were able to be there for your sister, Kristin. Sometimes we just need to know that people are there rooting for us when things get really tough. I have been there many times and have appreciated my sisters and their support.
Sending love to you, your sister and your whole families!
Julie
So happy you were able to be there for your sister, Kristin. Sometimes we just need to know that people are there rooting for us when things get really tough. I have been there many times and have appreciated my sisters and their support.
Sending love to you, your sister and your whole families!
Julie
It works for vocabulary & so on…but if you really want to know honestly? From an editor’s pov? No. It really doesn’t work because the whole time I was concerned & wondering if I missed another entry. So I went to the one you linked to…no, I knew that. So then I raced around looking to see oh my goodness what did I miss. So I think if you’re going to do something like this (I would not recommend it, I adore you I hope you know that)…I’d put an intro note.
That said (you asked!), I hope things will settle down. And friends will understand, yes. xoxo
It works for vocabulary & so on…but if you really want to know honestly? From an editor’s pov? No. It really doesn’t work because the whole time I was concerned & wondering if I missed another entry. So I went to the one you linked to…no, I knew that. So then I raced around looking to see oh my goodness what did I miss. So I think if you’re going to do something like this (I would not recommend it, I adore you I hope you know that)…I’d put an intro note.
That said (you asked!), I hope things will settle down. And friends will understand, yes. xoxo
Kristin, our prayers go out to your sister. You are a wonderful sister to her and I hope that Brain stays by her throughout.
Welcome back and bet to you and your family.
Kathleen
Kristin, our prayers go out to your sister. You are a wonderful sister to her and I hope that Brain stays by her throughout.
Welcome back and bet to you and your family.
Kathleen
How pretty she is, like you..and a family with sheepdogs..especially 2 is bound to come out on top.When I lived in France 20 years ago.with my sheepdog.I never saw another,but now I have all kinds of French friends with sheepdogs.and people with sheepdogs seem to attract all kinds of loving help. I have gone through lots of changes in my life and never did I really enter into them with joy and happiness.but in time I found that that the new phase was given to me to grow me, or teach me rearward me or maybe allow me to help someone else. Prayers that this new change will open doors that will in time will lead to happiness and joy.
How pretty she is, like you..and a family with sheepdogs..especially 2 is bound to come out on top.When I lived in France 20 years ago.with my sheepdog.I never saw another,but now I have all kinds of French friends with sheepdogs.and people with sheepdogs seem to attract all kinds of loving help. I have gone through lots of changes in my life and never did I really enter into them with joy and happiness.but in time I found that that the new phase was given to me to grow me, or teach me rearward me or maybe allow me to help someone else. Prayers that this new change will open doors that will in time will lead to happiness and joy.
Kristin, I’m sure your friends will realize you need to be there for your sister, for whatever she’s going through. Having family there when you’re going through something, no matter how difficult, gives comfort and strength.
Sandy
Kristin, I’m sure your friends will realize you need to be there for your sister, for whatever she’s going through. Having family there when you’re going through something, no matter how difficult, gives comfort and strength.
Sandy
Kristin:
Just had a heart to heart talk with my own sister about her family problems. Don’t know what I’d do without my sisters. I know about that bond and how important it is.
I’m sure your visit was good for you both.
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
Just had a heart to heart talk with my own sister about her family problems. Don’t know what I’d do without my sisters. I know about that bond and how important it is.
I’m sure your visit was good for you both.
Edie from Savannah