Enter to win this French holiday CD (pictured below)
Simply tell me a favorite song of yours here in the comments.
My mother-in-law might say "something by Elvis or Gainsbourg." That's her, right, in Nyons. Look at those trusty shoes she is wearing–the last thing I packed for her before the firemen whisked her away, yesterday! Read on.
tomber (tohm-bay)
: to fall
Audio: Listen to Jean-Marc MP3 or Wav
Depuis son retour de la clinique, Michèle-France est tombée quatre fois dans son appartement.
Since her return from the clinic, Michèle-France has fallen four times in her apartment.
Tis The Season… Already?
Yesterday, at the bakery to buy croissants for my mother-in-law, I saw a tray samples beside the cash register. The famous pompe à l'huile cake was on display and for the taking! Reaching for a slice, the scent of fleur d'oranger reminded me of Christmas with our French family. (Cousin, Sabine makes the famous "olive oil cake".) I will need to get this recipe for you (can't wait? Find it on page 254 of this book, of all books or free on the internet). Meantime, here is a lovely CD to set the mood….
WIN THIS CD!
To enter to win this CD, simply tell me your favorite song here in the comments box.
French Christmas Music: "Mon Beau Sapin", "Saint Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant". Order CD here or enter to win it when you tell me your favorite song here in the comments.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
"A Hunger for Life"
Arriving at my mother-in-law's for our breakfast date, I was unable to enter her apartment building. I'd forgotten the secret numbers to la digicode box, that push-buttoned "Open Sesame!" on the wall beside the entrance.
When Michèle-France did not answer her phone, I waded through the scratchy buissons beside the entrance and peered into her living room window. That's when I saw my mother-in-law lying motionless on the floor!
"C'est moi! C'est moi!" I shouted, tapping on the window, but my mother-in-law could not turn to see me. Recognizing my voice she struggled to remember her digicode number–and succeeded!
I typed the four digits and hurried into the bâtiment, expecting to find the next door open (my husband had told his mother to quit locking her door–in case of an emergency like this one–the fourth time she'd fallen since returning from the clinic).
Manque de chance! Michèle-France's door was locked!
"The keys are on the door!" my mother-in-law insisted, straining to carry her voice.
"No, there are no keys on the door!" I repeated, carefully eyeing all three keyholes and running my fingers over them as a personal sanity check. I looked everywhere, pausing only to concentrate. Keep calm and the keys will appear!
So much for calm. Instinct kicked in and I flung myself at the door, once, twice, three times….
Running back outside I began forcing the windows. Flimsy as they were they would not give! I ran around to the side of the building and began yanking the metal shutters of her bedroom. I could almost pry them open but for an out-of-reach latch.
Returning to the front windows I shouted to my mother-in-law not to worry, but we would have to call the fire department. This was a last resort–for my mother-in-law would have preferred to keep this latest slip between the two of us. She was desperate not to return to the clinic, which is where her worried family would send her after this morning's chute.
On my tiptoes I peered back through the window and saw my mother-in-law had managed to turn her head. I smiled back at her, throwing kisses through the glass that separated us. Her face lit up and I assured her I'd be right back.
Now… what was the French version of 911? The numbers finally came to mind for the emergency call but try as I might I could not dial 17. Instead 177 kept appearing on my mobil phone screen. I tried to steady my hands and on the fourth attempt I heard a French woman's voice. I'd dialed the police department!
"Désolée! I meant to dial the pompiers," I explained.
The woman assured me not to worry and began the questioning. Where was I calling from? What was my name? Was my mother-in-law alive?
Alive?
I ran back up to the window, knowing perfectly well the answer. "Oui!"
"OK," the officer said. The police are on their way, but you will need to contact the fire department. Dial 18….
"We just need the pompiers–not the police!"
The officer assured me this was protocol on hung up. Hands steady this time, I dialed les pompiers. Five minutes later a team of three firefighters, two men and one woman, was standing outside my mother-in-law's bedroom window. They pulled on thin white gloves and began prying open the metal shutters, this time with success!
Luckily the bedroom window was open and one of the pompiers jumped through it to open the front door. Next, the police arrived (all three of them, including one woman) and began interrogating me.
Your name? Your birthdate? Your telephone? Your address? Where were you born?
"The Philippines," I answered, keeping an eye on my mother-in-law, who answered "Maroc",or Morocco, for her birthplace. She was being interrogated too–by the fire department. They had lifted her off the cold floor and set her gently into her chair.
I noticed how tenderly the firefighters handled my mother-in-law, whose humor kicked in as she began flirting with the youngest member of the team. Those handsome French uniforms! But I cringed when they responded to her with "ma petite dame" and other terms of endearment that, to a strong-willed woman like my mother-in-law, translated to "LITTLE OLD LADY!"
Looking closely, she appeared to be another, weaker person. But this was owing to the absence of her teeth. I hurried to the bathroom to get them for her–the moment she asked for them.
And her hair… She had always kept it up–along with her nails–fiesty-fiesty red! Her hair was dyed a more delicate shade–strawberry. But lately, her hairdresser was not returning her calls, not since she asked for a favor: could he make one exception and do a house call?
"She will need a change of underwear, " the female firefighter said, waking me from my seat at the hair salon. I had been watching my mother-in-law getting all dolled up in the next swivel chair…. until it all disappeared to the present moment. There she sat, barefoot and sparsely dressed. Her snowwhite hair reminding me of the underwear I needed to be getting.
"J'y vais! I'm going to get them!" I answered the firefighter, hurrying to my mother-in-law's bedroom to grab the culottes … when the phone rang. It was my husband. Only, just as soon as I heard his voice, my own began to crack. No words would come out.
"I'm on my way," Jean-Marc said.
It was stupid and indulgent to cry when everything was going so well. Things could have been so much worse! Jean-Marc arrived almost at the same time as the auxiliaire de vie, or care assistant, who was scheduled to see my mother-in-law that morning. Now the apartment teamed with 10 unexpected guests. And then the neighbors passed by, casually peeking past the front door where my mother-in-law sat completely exposed.
After I hurried to shut the door, the room hummed even louder with all the questioning by the various municipal workers, who were all going beyond the call of duty. So much so that my mother-in-law began to unbridle her heart–telling her full story to anyone who would listen: "All those months in the hospital. Then the clinic. All that physical therapy. FOR THIS! I've been lying on the floor for 4 hours. Let me tell you–all you young'uns–getting old SUCKS!"
No, she didn't really say those last three unseemly words, but she was thinking it. I could see it in her eyes as a blanket was thrown over her lap and the professionals cooed, "Dear little old lady, all will be well!"
* * *
All alone in the apartment–my mother-in-law having been carted off in a wheelchair, followed by an entourage of helpers, I looked around nostalgically. I recognized all the framed photos of family, the wooden armoire with the carved doors, the favorite watercolors by her artist friend. In a cut crystal vase the branches of bruyère I'd brought last fall were dried up and colorless. I had the urge to stuff them in the garbage like a menacing note.
I took off my coat and rolled up my sleeves. My husband had left the keys and I would lock up just as soon as the dishes were done and the bed was made. This time I wasn't going to leave my belle-mère's apartment in disarray. Not like the last time when chaos hit so suddenly.
Hanging the kitchen towel to dry I noticed the sacks of croissants I had brought for our breakfast date. They were still sitting on the window sill where I'd dropped them before trying to break into the apartment.
But one of the sacks was missing….
An image of a fireman running back to the building crossed my mind. So that is what he'd come back for–her breakfast. In all the haste my mother-in-law managed to remember that buttery, rich croissant! Chances are she will be just fine–as long as she keeps that hunger for life.
COMMENTS
To leave a comment or to read one, click here. And tell me your favorite song to enter to win the Fernch CD, mentioned earlier!
French Vocabulary
le buisson = shrub, bush
le bâtiment = building
manque de chance = no luck
désolé(e) = sorry
la chute = fall
le pompier = firefighter
la culotte = panties (U.S.) knickers (U.K.)
auxiliaire de vie = home health aid, care assistant
la bruyère = heather
la belle-mère = mother-in-law
You may wonder why I've been busy transplanting dozens of strawberry plants. Because my family loves un bon milk-shake à la fraise (the healthy kind). If you haven't gotten a Nutribullet yet, please consider this one here. And this model, right here, is priced lower than the one pictured above. A perfect holiday gift for my mother-in-law. Now to get her back out of that clinic!
When you shop for anything at Amazon, entering the store via one of the links in this letter or at the blog, your purchase helps support this free word journal. Merci beaucoup!
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So sorry to hear of her fall. Thankfully you were there that morning! Wishing dear Marie-France a quick recovery…and big hugs to you, Kristin, this was a highly-charged emotional time–is not easy caring for our parents Your family is blessed by your & J-M’s presence. Hugs coming from a crisp, windy fall day in SW Virginia where there is a riot of color on the trees.
So sorry to hear of her fall. Thankfully you were there that morning! Wishing dear Marie-France a quick recovery…and big hugs to you, Kristin, this was a highly-charged emotional time–is not easy caring for our parents Your family is blessed by your & J-M’s presence. Hugs coming from a crisp, windy fall day in SW Virginia where there is a riot of color on the trees.
I hope your mother-in-law is doing well and recovering. I know it can be scary when this happens to a loved one. You handled it all quite well. My favorite Christmas song is the song David Bowie sang with Bing Crosby during his Christmas special in the 70’s, drummer boy. I mostly like their version; two musicians from different genre’s pairing up so well.
Take care.
I hope your mother-in-law is doing well and recovering. I know it can be scary when this happens to a loved one. You handled it all quite well. My favorite Christmas song is the song David Bowie sang with Bing Crosby during his Christmas special in the 70’s, drummer boy. I mostly like their version; two musicians from different genre’s pairing up so well.
Take care.
The oldest one of them all: O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
The oldest one of them all: O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
Add my wishes for your mother-un-law’s quick recovery. My favorite carol from the cd is il est ne le devine Enfant which I learned so many years ago in French class.
Add my wishes for your mother-un-law’s quick recovery. My favorite carol from the cd is il est ne le devine Enfant which I learned so many years ago in French class.
healing prayers being sent to you and your belle mere…many memoris of singing “Il est ne, le divin enfant” as a child in school. French began in first grade.
healing prayers being sent to you and your belle mere…many memoris of singing “Il est ne, le divin enfant” as a child in school. French began in first grade.
along with others I loved Il est né le divin enfant after learning it in French class. And then in one of those never-to-be-forgotten experiences, I was in Notre Dame de Paris on Christmas Day when they flung open the big doors and we all walked out singing
Il est né le divan enfant, jouez haut-bois…
along with others I loved Il est né le divin enfant after learning it in French class. And then in one of those never-to-be-forgotten experiences, I was in Notre Dame de Paris on Christmas Day when they flung open the big doors and we all walked out singing
Il est né le divan enfant, jouez haut-bois…
Oh Holy Night … I forget how pretty it is until I hear it again each season. You are doing great with your aging parents, hang in there.
Oh Holy Night … I forget how pretty it is until I hear it again each season. You are doing great with your aging parents, hang in there.
Yes my darling Kristin. She wants her independence. Who could blame her la cherie plus plus cher mother-in law. I have been where you are and here is some unsolicited advice. She cannot live alone a cette pointe. I know that the clinique and soforth are not her choice. The hell of getting old and losing balance are deeply felt by those of us who have dealt with the situation. A broken hip or pelvis could be fatal. I know that this is something that you and Jean-Marc are concerned about. It is a truth that as one becomes older, the battle for independence becomes more intense. First, the fading vision or hearing, then that devil of falling…I do vote for the medic-alert necklace or bracelet or a simple cell phone especially for the elderly with your number set as the only one and the simple button to call the 911 —17—or 18 would give her some reluctantly received control over the situation. I too am getting older and have faulty balance. The risk of breaking a bone (although the French have strong ones) is too great to be ignored. Consult with her doctor and make a plan. Joyeux Noel in November is a little premature! I vote for Joy to the World. King Wenceslas would be 2nd. Partridge in a Pear Tree, 3rd. I spent a glorious Christmas with my French famille and the midnight mass marked the commencement of celebration for 12 days. Dinner at 2 a.m. !t Keeps the children (who are now adults) from waking up so very early on Christmas Day! Happiest American Thanksgiving to you and your extended famille. xxooharriet
Yes my darling Kristin. She wants her independence. Who could blame her la cherie plus plus cher mother-in law. I have been where you are and here is some unsolicited advice. She cannot live alone a cette pointe. I know that the clinique and soforth are not her choice. The hell of getting old and losing balance are deeply felt by those of us who have dealt with the situation. A broken hip or pelvis could be fatal. I know that this is something that you and Jean-Marc are concerned about. It is a truth that as one becomes older, the battle for independence becomes more intense. First, the fading vision or hearing, then that devil of falling…I do vote for the medic-alert necklace or bracelet or a simple cell phone especially for the elderly with your number set as the only one and the simple button to call the 911 —17—or 18 would give her some reluctantly received control over the situation. I too am getting older and have faulty balance. The risk of breaking a bone (although the French have strong ones) is too great to be ignored. Consult with her doctor and make a plan. Joyeux Noel in November is a little premature! I vote for Joy to the World. King Wenceslas would be 2nd. Partridge in a Pear Tree, 3rd. I spent a glorious Christmas with my French famille and the midnight mass marked the commencement of celebration for 12 days. Dinner at 2 a.m. !t Keeps the children (who are now adults) from waking up so very early on Christmas Day! Happiest American Thanksgiving to you and your extended famille. xxooharriet
My favorite X-mas song is “have yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (original version that goes” someday soon we all will be together , if the Saints allow…….Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow”) Always brings a tear to my eye as I so miss family members that can not be with me for whatever reason. Best wishes for your Mom in law…(as Bette Davis said..”getting old ain’t for sissies “) She is so lucky to have such a caring family though.
My favorite X-mas song is “have yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (original version that goes” someday soon we all will be together , if the Saints allow…….Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow”) Always brings a tear to my eye as I so miss family members that can not be with me for whatever reason. Best wishes for your Mom in law…(as Bette Davis said..”getting old ain’t for sissies “) She is so lucky to have such a caring family though.
My husband and I each have a “Bullet” and love them. Would make almost anyone a great Christmas gift. As for songs…. my favorite is Silent Night (in any language). Joan
My husband and I each have a “Bullet” and love them. Would make almost anyone a great Christmas gift. As for songs…. my favorite is Silent Night (in any language). Joan
My heart warms each time I hear “Aux Champs Élysées” as I heard it over and over on the Hop On Hop Off Tour in Paris. Hopefully, I will spend Christmas in France and hear these carols.
Letitia Searcy, St. Simons Island, GA
My heart warms each time I hear “Aux Champs Élysées” as I heard it over and over on the Hop On Hop Off Tour in Paris. Hopefully, I will spend Christmas in France and hear these carols.
Letitia Searcy, St. Simons Island, GA
OMG!!!! I just spent the past week with my parents who are in their late 80-‘s. My mother is in the final stages of dementia and my father was diagnosed with a malignant thyroid tumor and is getting ready to have radiation therapy (his only option because of his age). My heart goes out to you and your family. It is very difficult to watch the demise of your parents health. I want to remember mine as they were most of their lives, strong, healthy, and able to talk about their life and remember the good times.
I can only pray that you stay strong and loving during the difficult times ahead. This is the natural progression of life and there is much to bear.
And, I have so many favorite Christmas songs, but the one that I keep hearing in my mind lately is “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”.
OMG!!!! I just spent the past week with my parents who are in their late 80-‘s. My mother is in the final stages of dementia and my father was diagnosed with a malignant thyroid tumor and is getting ready to have radiation therapy (his only option because of his age). My heart goes out to you and your family. It is very difficult to watch the demise of your parents health. I want to remember mine as they were most of their lives, strong, healthy, and able to talk about their life and remember the good times.
I can only pray that you stay strong and loving during the difficult times ahead. This is the natural progression of life and there is much to bear.
And, I have so many favorite Christmas songs, but the one that I keep hearing in my mind lately is “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”.
I have such fond memories of singing “Entre le boeuf” in choir as a girl- such a pretty song!
I have such fond memories of singing “Entre le boeuf” in choir as a girl- such a pretty song!
chanson favorite! Tant de choix! Comme ebfant je vivais a Paris (XVI ) dans la rue lauriston très proche de l’étoile et les champs Élysées. Quand ma première amie anglaise(Nous avions 9 ã 13 ans) – quand elle est allé demeurer en Frannce je lui emporté des chansons francaises. sa favorite était \> chantée par Jules Dassin. La chanson me la souvient d’elle et hélas elle sst mort. Por ses raisons > !
chanson favorite! Tant de choix! Comme ebfant je vivais a Paris (XVI ) dans la rue lauriston très proche de l’étoile et les champs Élysées. Quand ma première amie anglaise(Nous avions 9 ã 13 ans) – quand elle est allé demeurer en Frannce je lui emporté des chansons francaises. sa favorite était \> chantée par Jules Dassin. La chanson me la souvient d’elle et hélas elle sst mort. Por ses raisons > !
My favorite Christmas song is Emmanuel as sung by Tori Amos on her album Midwinter Graces.
My favorite Christmas song is Emmanuel as sung by Tori Amos on her album Midwinter Graces.
“La Vie en Rose” — it is “our” song — also the name of the resto in St. Martin where we had dinner on the balcony overlooking the Caribbean — my first trip there. Played at our wedding and still makes us smile years later.
“La Vie en Rose” — it is “our” song — also the name of the resto in St. Martin where we had dinner on the balcony overlooking the Caribbean — my first trip there. Played at our wedding and still makes us smile years later.
My favorite Christmas song in French is “Cantique de Noel” or “O Holy Night,” probably because it was the first French Christmas song I learned, and it was so much fun to fit the words into the extensive range of the song. When my children were little, and I taught French at a little Christian school, the children’s favorite was “Il Est Ne, Le Devin Enfant.” The words lend themselves to pantomime, particularly when the children would lower their voices and tiptoe around the creche, so as not to wake the baby. The older children found a bit of humor in the fact that, in the Louis Segond version of Luc 2, the babe clad in swaddling clothes is wearing a “maillot,” something they had formerly only associated with swimsuits.
My favorite Christmas song in French is “Cantique de Noel” or “O Holy Night,” probably because it was the first French Christmas song I learned, and it was so much fun to fit the words into the extensive range of the song. When my children were little, and I taught French at a little Christian school, the children’s favorite was “Il Est Ne, Le Devin Enfant.” The words lend themselves to pantomime, particularly when the children would lower their voices and tiptoe around the creche, so as not to wake the baby. The older children found a bit of humor in the fact that, in the Louis Segond version of Luc 2, the babe clad in swaddling clothes is wearing a “maillot,” something they had formerly only associated with swimsuits.
I just realized I misspelled “divin” earlier. I would love to know more about the origin of the word “Noel.” As for other favorite songs, “Yesterday” by the Beatles gives me away as close the age of Kristin’s mother-in-law, as does Roy Orbison’s “Anything You Want, You Got it.” I also love Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi. Our theme song in French classes one year was “I Will Remember You,” by Amy Grant. We sang it in French, of course, and my daughter who loved piano at age 12 noticed that one can play “Liebestraume” on the piano and sing “I Will Remember You,” or “Je me Souviendrai de Toi,” because the chords fall just right. Hopefully they all are remembering their French classes and each other now.
I just realized I misspelled “divin” earlier. I would love to know more about the origin of the word “Noel.” As for other favorite songs, “Yesterday” by the Beatles gives me away as close the age of Kristin’s mother-in-law, as does Roy Orbison’s “Anything You Want, You Got it.” I also love Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi. Our theme song in French classes one year was “I Will Remember You,” by Amy Grant. We sang it in French, of course, and my daughter who loved piano at age 12 noticed that one can play “Liebestraume” on the piano and sing “I Will Remember You,” or “Je me Souviendrai de Toi,” because the chords fall just right. Hopefully they all are remembering their French classes and each other now.
Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell and Mary Did You Know by Heidi Joy ~
Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell and Mary Did You Know by Heidi Joy ~
How is your mother-in-law doing? I am caring for my 82yo mother and just happened to be home when she fell in the bathroom- luckily I was able to get her up. I will pray for both of you.
My favorite Christmas carol is ‘Carol of The Bells’. It takes me back to singing in the church choir as a child in Florida. I had never seen snow but the song somehow gave me visions of snow and mountains.
How is your mother-in-law doing? I am caring for my 82yo mother and just happened to be home when she fell in the bathroom- luckily I was able to get her up. I will pray for both of you.
My favorite Christmas carol is ‘Carol of The Bells’. It takes me back to singing in the church choir as a child in Florida. I had never seen snow but the song somehow gave me visions of snow and mountains.