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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I hope your mother in law is okay and has a speedy recovery! Thank God you were there at the right time.. My favorite Christmas song is Blue Christmas by Elvis..
I hope your mother in law is okay and has a speedy recovery! Thank God you were there at the right time.. My favorite Christmas song is Blue Christmas by Elvis..
Definitely Little Drummer Boy – it always reminds me of my Mother singing it when I was a child.
Definitely Little Drummer Boy – it always reminds me of my Mother singing it when I was a child.
I hope your mother in law recovers quicklly. My favorite Christmas song is “I Love Those JINGLE Bells.” My favorite song that is not Christmas is Johnny Halliday’s “Que Je t’aime.”
I hope your mother in law recovers quicklly. My favorite Christmas song is “I Love Those JINGLE Bells.” My favorite song that is not Christmas is Johnny Halliday’s “Que Je t’aime.”
Your belle mere has a zest for life. She will be back. Perhaps it is time for a small walker in the apartment. Christmas song….Little Drummer Boy.
Your belle mere has a zest for life. She will be back. Perhaps it is time for a small walker in the apartment. Christmas song….Little Drummer Boy.
Sending prayers for your belle mere. I can empathize with your situation.
A truly moving and truly beautiful song – Oh, Holy Night. It always sends shivers down my spine.
Peace.
Sending prayers for your belle mere. I can empathize with your situation.
A truly moving and truly beautiful song – Oh, Holy Night. It always sends shivers down my spine.
Peace.
My favourite song right now is L’amour by Karim Ouellet. I love his music. It’s fun and upbeat.
All the best to your belle mère, Kristin.
My favourite song right now is L’amour by Karim Ouellet. I love his music. It’s fun and upbeat.
All the best to your belle mère, Kristin.
I Believe In Father Christmas by Greg Lake. A song of hope and caution.
I Believe In Father Christmas by Greg Lake. A song of hope and caution.
My favorite Christmas song is The Christmas Song, sung my Nat “King” Cole. You know the one: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” It completely evokes the feeling of the holiday season that I recall as a child. Love it.
My favorite Christmas song is The Christmas Song, sung my Nat “King” Cole. You know the one: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” It completely evokes the feeling of the holiday season that I recall as a child. Love it.
Tales From the Crypt Christmas needs a french version, lol, Also “I wanna hippopotamus for Christmas” and “Santa got run over be a reindeer” If there are any joke french Christmas carols, let me know! The French have a great sense of humor, so there must be some!
Tales From the Crypt Christmas needs a french version, lol, Also “I wanna hippopotamus for Christmas” and “Santa got run over be a reindeer” If there are any joke french Christmas carols, let me know! The French have a great sense of humor, so there must be some!
My own mother was not a very nice person, sad to say, in life, but she was very kind to her daughters when she was dying. No prolonged nursing home stays. No frequent hospital visits. No painful illnesses. Until her last days at age 87, she cooked her breakfast, showered and remained alert. Then, one day she said, “I don’t feel well. it is time to go to the hospital.” She had only been to a hospital twice in her life when she gave birth to her daughters. She arrived at hospital at 9 a.m., was made comfortable and at 9 p.m. breathed her last. Friends with angel mothers are enduring exhausting hours as caretakers,and insults and accusations from their previously sweet-tempered moms. My prayer is that I am gentle with my daughters should I find myself incapacitated.
As for you, Kristen, you are never stupid. You are always giving, patient and loving. As another reader said, your belle-mere is blessed to have you as her daughter-in-law.
My own mother was not a very nice person, sad to say, in life, but she was very kind to her daughters when she was dying. No prolonged nursing home stays. No frequent hospital visits. No painful illnesses. Until her last days at age 87, she cooked her breakfast, showered and remained alert. Then, one day she said, “I don’t feel well. it is time to go to the hospital.” She had only been to a hospital twice in her life when she gave birth to her daughters. She arrived at hospital at 9 a.m., was made comfortable and at 9 p.m. breathed her last. Friends with angel mothers are enduring exhausting hours as caretakers,and insults and accusations from their previously sweet-tempered moms. My prayer is that I am gentle with my daughters should I find myself incapacitated.
As for you, Kristen, you are never stupid. You are always giving, patient and loving. As another reader said, your belle-mere is blessed to have you as her daughter-in-law.
The holidays are fast approaching and I have started hearing Christmas songs on the radio already. White Christmas and Holly Jolly Christmas are two of my favorites.
Wow, your day turned from routine to eventful in a snap. We will all be in the position to need a little help. Yet another reason to be good to our family and friends.
I would like to echo others and wish your mother-in-law a speedy recovery!
The holidays are fast approaching and I have started hearing Christmas songs on the radio already. White Christmas and Holly Jolly Christmas are two of my favorites.
Wow, your day turned from routine to eventful in a snap. We will all be in the position to need a little help. Yet another reason to be good to our family and friends.
I would like to echo others and wish your mother-in-law a speedy recovery!
I love the children’s song “Lundi Matin.” It helped me to improve my French accent when I was an exchange student in high school in Nantes in the late 60s. And I love your column!
I love the children’s song “Lundi Matin.” It helped me to improve my French accent when I was an exchange student in high school in Nantes in the late 60s. And I love your column!
Kristin,
I am so sorry to hear about your belle-mere’s troubles! I just visited a friend in an assisted living center and it is not easy for the person nor their loved ones!
On a happier, Christmasy note, I love “Il est né Le Divin Enfant” – of course, I love almost any and every Christmas carrol. Christmas is coming – yeah, I get to go see my daughter and her family!! Take care! Judi
Kristin,
I am so sorry to hear about your belle-mere’s troubles! I just visited a friend in an assisted living center and it is not easy for the person nor their loved ones!
On a happier, Christmasy note, I love “Il est né Le Divin Enfant” – of course, I love almost any and every Christmas carrol. Christmas is coming – yeah, I get to go see my daughter and her family!! Take care! Judi
So very hard to choose just one but O Holy Night will be my choice!
So very hard to choose just one but O Holy Night will be my choice!
My favorite is O Holy Night, but only if it is sung well. We are lucky to live in a community where there is a yearly performance of Handel’s “Messiah” the first weekend in December. The “For unto us a child is given..” chorus is awesome, and puts everyone in the Christmas spirit. I also highly recommend a you-tube video of an Alaskan village in winter showing the words to the Hallelujah Chorus as the music is played. It will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
God bless you and your belle-mere.
Joan L.
My favorite is O Holy Night, but only if it is sung well. We are lucky to live in a community where there is a yearly performance of Handel’s “Messiah” the first weekend in December. The “For unto us a child is given..” chorus is awesome, and puts everyone in the Christmas spirit. I also highly recommend a you-tube video of an Alaskan village in winter showing the words to the Hallelujah Chorus as the music is played. It will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
God bless you and your belle-mere.
Joan L.
I’ve always loved “Auprès de ma blonde”
I’ve always loved “Auprès de ma blonde”
You write a great story. I so hope your mother in law is doing well and can live on her own again. You and she are right…getting old is not for sissies !! You’ve made me think of Christmas coming quickly, so my favorite choice of song is “The first noel”.
Bon soir,
Kathleen
You write a great story. I so hope your mother in law is doing well and can live on her own again. You and she are right…getting old is not for sissies !! You’ve made me think of Christmas coming quickly, so my favorite choice of song is “The first noel”.
Bon soir,
Kathleen
Kristin,
I hope your mother in law is doing better. Why doesn’t she have a life line pendant which she could push to summon help. My mother finally agreed to get one when she was on the floor for 20 hours. They are a blessing. I know that in the states you can get them to wear around your neck or as a bracelet. I hope that they have them in France and please have her get one.
My favorite Christmas song is ” Silent Night” especially when sung in church on Christmas Eve with candles shining and lights down low.
Kathleen
Kristin,
I hope your mother in law is doing better. Why doesn’t she have a life line pendant which she could push to summon help. My mother finally agreed to get one when she was on the floor for 20 hours. They are a blessing. I know that in the states you can get them to wear around your neck or as a bracelet. I hope that they have them in France and please have her get one.
My favorite Christmas song is ” Silent Night” especially when sung in church on Christmas Eve with candles shining and lights down low.
Kathleen
Dear Kristin,
My heart is in my throat, and tears have sprung to my eyes after reading todays post, beautifully captured and heartrending.
Prayers, BIG hugs and loads of support to you all, especially to your dear Belle-Mere.
Much love from Oz,
Leisa
Dear Kristin,
My heart is in my throat, and tears have sprung to my eyes after reading todays post, beautifully captured and heartrending.
Prayers, BIG hugs and loads of support to you all, especially to your dear Belle-Mere.
Much love from Oz,
Leisa
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your dear Belle-Mere – our prayers are with you! Just this morning I was playing carols on the piano accompanying a cellist in preparation for an evening of Christmas music – with you and Jean Marc could come! Maybe some year we’ll do this in Aix! Anyway, I do love “Il est né Le Divin Enfant” – such a happy lilt to that tune. Can’t say I have a true favorite because there are SO many carols I love!
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your dear Belle-Mere – our prayers are with you! Just this morning I was playing carols on the piano accompanying a cellist in preparation for an evening of Christmas music – with you and Jean Marc could come! Maybe some year we’ll do this in Aix! Anyway, I do love “Il est né Le Divin Enfant” – such a happy lilt to that tune. Can’t say I have a true favorite because there are SO many carols I love!
Oh, Kristin! I hope your belle-mere is on her way to a speedy recovery! What a morning!
Favorite song . . . hmmmm . . . so hard to pick just one! There were some beautiful songs named by your lovely readers, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without many of them. From playful (I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas was one of my childhood favorites) to peaceful (Silent Night). But, pushed to just one, I think I’d have to go with Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.
Oh, Kristin! I hope your belle-mere is on her way to a speedy recovery! What a morning!
Favorite song . . . hmmmm . . . so hard to pick just one! There were some beautiful songs named by your lovely readers, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without many of them. From playful (I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ for Christmas was one of my childhood favorites) to peaceful (Silent Night). But, pushed to just one, I think I’d have to go with Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.
Dear Kristin,
A worry becomes reality….and how scary it can be! We went through this a year ago with my 94 year old father- in-law. He fell while walking to his car, due to a pinched nerve from a compressed disc in his spine. After surgery it took him about 9 months to regain his strength and stamina. No more leg brace, walker or cane, all of which stripped him of his dignity. It is difficult to give up one’s mobility and independence. I knew my dear father-in -law understood his situation when he would grip my arm when walking became precarious…. throwing pride aside for safety. He now walks freely, even with a spring in his step. When dealing with such a state, I think all we can offer is support and encouragement and an effort to foster independence when possible. The suggestion for an alert necklace or bracelet would seem to support that for Marie-France. Her spunky nature seems to have pulled her through her ordeal so far….hope it continues to do so!
Dear Kristin,
A worry becomes reality….and how scary it can be! We went through this a year ago with my 94 year old father- in-law. He fell while walking to his car, due to a pinched nerve from a compressed disc in his spine. After surgery it took him about 9 months to regain his strength and stamina. No more leg brace, walker or cane, all of which stripped him of his dignity. It is difficult to give up one’s mobility and independence. I knew my dear father-in -law understood his situation when he would grip my arm when walking became precarious…. throwing pride aside for safety. He now walks freely, even with a spring in his step. When dealing with such a state, I think all we can offer is support and encouragement and an effort to foster independence when possible. The suggestion for an alert necklace or bracelet would seem to support that for Marie-France. Her spunky nature seems to have pulled her through her ordeal so far….hope it continues to do so!
Tout ca me fait triste chere amie. C’est le commencement du demise de votre belle mere. Not knowing her, I love her from your amazing descriptions. Mais, c’est claire que vous sont tous ensembles comme famille pour decider comment faire les decisions en regarde du future. Ce n’est pas facile. Neamoins…la famille va survivre et aussi les memoires.
Tout ca me fait triste chere amie. C’est le commencement du demise de votre belle mere. Not knowing her, I love her from your amazing descriptions. Mais, c’est claire que vous sont tous ensembles comme famille pour decider comment faire les decisions en regarde du future. Ce n’est pas facile. Neamoins…la famille va survivre et aussi les memoires.
Il est né Le Divin Enfant. I would love to hear this CD. I sing quite a few of these songs in French (with a Gypsy Jazz flair) and never get tired of hearing other interpretations. I hope you get to enjoy Thanksgiving in France this year once again. Thanks for all you do!
Il est né Le Divin Enfant. I would love to hear this CD. I sing quite a few of these songs in French (with a Gypsy Jazz flair) and never get tired of hearing other interpretations. I hope you get to enjoy Thanksgiving in France this year once again. Thanks for all you do!
My all-time favorite is “Twelve Days of Christmas” by John Denver and The Muppets. Every Christmas season kicks off with playing the Muppets album – wouldn’t be Christmas without it!
Sending warm, positive thoughts for your mother-in-law and your whole family!
My all-time favorite is “Twelve Days of Christmas” by John Denver and The Muppets. Every Christmas season kicks off with playing the Muppets album – wouldn’t be Christmas without it!
Sending warm, positive thoughts for your mother-in-law and your whole family!