Over a year ago, at the summit of his life, my husband took a hard fall. The accident changed the course of our lives. We put our vineyard up for sale and, just yesterday, sold our boat in preparation for our move. Read Jean-Marc’s poignant update in French and in English and listen to his reading in today’s sound file.
TODAY’S WORD: la broche
: pin, rod; brooch
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Aujourd’hui, mon chirurgien doit enlever les broches de mon coude.
Today, my surgeon must remove the pins from my elbow.
ECOUTEZ – Hear Jean-Marc Click here to listen to today’s story in French
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
by Jean-Marc Espinasse
Il y a 15 mois, alors que tout “roulait” pour moi, je suis tombé en vélo me facturant le coude. Ma vie et celle de ma famille a peu à peu basculé vers le doute et l’incertitude.
Aujourd’hui, mon chirurgien doit enlever les broches de mon coude.
Le soutien de tous, le travail sur moi, et le temps commencent à faire leur effet positif sur mon moral. J’espère que cette opération chirurgicale marquera la fin de ce douloureux épisode de notre vie et le début d’une ère nouvelle où joie de vivre et projets seront les maîtres mots.
Fifteen months ago, while everything was going so well for me, I fell off my bike and fractured my elbow. My life and that of my family’s took a turn, little by little, toward doubt and uncertainty.
Today, my surgeon must take out the pins in my elbow.
The support of everyone, therapy, and time are beginning to have a positive effect on my morale. I hope this surgery will mark the end of a painful episode in our life and the beginning of a new era where joy of life and projects will be the key words.
Stories you may have missed…
1. Broken bones and broken French: Jean-Marc returns from hospital
2. Jean-Marc’s open letter: Why I’m turning the page
Following two missed opportunities to buy this bastide, we may have a third chance!
Content to let others pass him by these days. It’s been a humbling year. Photo of Jean-Marc with his trusty leather sacoche called “Mr Sacks”. Mr. Sacks went with him to the hospital this morning, for the elbow operation. The two will stay overnight. If you’d like to leave Jean-Marc a message in the comments I know he will appreciate your kind wishes. Merci beaucoup!
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Prayers for speedy healing
Prayers lifted for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jean-Marc!
Sending prayers from the Midwest girl! Wishing you a quick recovery.
My wishes for a complete and thorough recovery, Jean-Marc. You have a wonderful live-in nurse! She will get you back on you feet!
Jeanne
Speedy recovery and much joy in 2017 Jean-Marc.
Blessings on you and yours.
Jean-Marc,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Bon courage, Jean Marc.
Brilliant to bring along Mr. Sacks!
Piano, piano, as the Italians say: “Slowly, slowly. Step by step.”
Sending blessings and prayers for your good health.
From the Berkshires in Massachusetts
Jean-Marc,
I feel this is a very symbolic event and day — removing a last vestige of this last difficult year. Walk out of the hospital feeling it is behind you and that you now are walking into a better chapter. Best wishes!
Jean-Marc, Kristin et la Famille, Comme vous, j’espere que la fin du douloureux est proche et joie de vivre va revenir bientot—–comme Voltaire a ecrit ” J’ai decide d’etre heureux parce que c’est bon pour la sante.” Avec amitie, Bill
Sending you best wishes for a happy 2017 and successful surgery – here’s hoping you are back on your bike again soon!
My very best wishes for a quicker than quick recovery … there are sunny days ahead!
Turning point! Uphill from now on. You’ll have a quick recovery, you all will find just the right place, and, you’ll get another boat!!
Wishing you and your family all the best, and knowing all will be well.
I hope that the surgery went smoothly and am wishing Jean-Marc a speedy recovery. Only good days ahead for you and your family!
I’m also keeping all my crossables crossed for your third attempt at securing that charming house.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and happiness ahead.
Sincerely!
I hope I’ll be reading about a very successful procedure very soon. All the best from North Yorkshire, Jean Marc.
By now Jean-Marc’s surgery is finished & hopefully he is in a comfortable, relatively pain-controlled state. At least he gets to spend the night. In the US he would have to be out of the hospital by now. Enjoy the rest & recovery time & soon he will be back on the bike!!
Dear Jean-Marc,
I have said a prayer that the surgery goes well and this event marks another sign post toward better days for you and your family. I too am a cyclist who has had a fractured elbow that could only be healed with pins. However, mine have not bothered me, and it has been over fifteen years since that crash. An elderly woman turned in front of me and i crashed into the side of her car. Since then I’ve had two other semi-serious crashes, the last I suffered a concussion and extensive road rash that took months to heal. My knees are very ugly! You must have far better sense than do I if you are no longer riding. Bon chance, Jean-Marc and may the path ahead be dry,smooth, and free of anymore negative diversions!
Warm regards,
Denise in Claremont, CA
Wishing you a speedy recovery Jean Marc. And keeping my fingers crossed for the house!!
Sending love.
Best wishes to Jean-Marc for successful surgery and speedy healing, and to you both for a smooth and happy new chapter just beginning!
Sending all best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Today will go smoothly. You all have reached the top of the mountain. The climbs are hard. Now is a time where all wonderful things will bless you and your wonderful family. Like your elbow, everything will be in place. (remember physical therapy, very important).
Dear Jean-Marc,
JeanClaude and I are delighted that you’re getting that metal removed from your elbow and we wish you a speedy and full recovery- in all senses. We also wish you and your beautiful family continued courage and inspiration during the search for your new house and new boat. “Petit a petit, l’oiseau fait son nid”…
Good health to you, Jean Marc! We are cheering you on.
From your far away friends in the USA,
Peter & Tracy McDermott
Jean-Marc – Bon et vite rétablissement!
Sending love and healing energy for a full and speedy recovery!
You and your family and the surgeon are in my thoughts this morning. Speedy recovery to you, Jean Marc!
Best wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery. After more than six decades, I have come to understand that all pain and suffering can lead to growth and positive change if we only allow it. I suspect that many exciting opportunities are coming your way. May your elbow be functional enough to continue to embrace them. If not, then your mind and heart are still quite capable of taking in all the good life has to offer. Bon chance.
Bon rétablissement, Jean Marc, et meilleurs vœux pour cette année !
Prayers and thoughts to you, Jean Marc, and your family, as you heal and recover!
Bonne chance a Jean-Marc!
Bon chance, Jean-Marc, de la chirurgie! Heal quickly and begin the next phase of life!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. The future awaits you! Prayers for you and your family.
Thank you for always sharing your beautiful life and family, both ups and downs. As one who loves everything French having been called to anything of France from as far back as I can recall. I live in South Louisiana where French and a French way of life is all around… and from the time as a small child begging my father to teach me French… it as if I was born and lived there in another time–it is infused in my soul… I so enjoy the many beautiful stories and pictures you all share. Thank you!
And to Jean Marc, and to you also Kristin, “Prend Courage”… as I was reminded by a little fabric angel holding a sign which had that message hand-written both in English and French. I discovered her in a little antique shop many, many years ago… I KNEW she was speaking to me and shared a message I so needed to hear at a time in my life when I needed some courage during a difficult time… maybe this will speak to you as well… Blessings to you all on your new Journey and Godspeed on your recovery Jean Marc!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Jean Marc and Kristi!! Kristi, thanks very much for mentioning Provence Search in your post. Very kind of you. On croise les doigts!
Bises,
Sophia
I have been reading your life’s history for over 12 years and never written a reply. It has been one of the joys of my life to follow yours. I am sorry and sad that this elbow injury has derailed your plans and sincerely wish you better luck in the future. I pray that you get the house that you want and that your elbow heals completely. Best wishes, Mary Bartholow Dallas Texas
Wishing you deep and successful healing and much joy on your new adventure. I fell in September 2015 and shattered my ankle/leg so I know how shocking those things can be. May good things come from it for you and your wonderful family.
Lorrie, Redondo Beach, CA
Bonne chance et bon courage, Jean-Marc!
Salut Jean-Marc,
Bon courage ! J’espère que tout va bien avec votre coude.
L’année passée j’ai eu aussi un accident de vélo. J’ai volé par dessus le guidon et cassé le poignet. Zut ! C’était juste avant un long séjour en Provence.
Apres mon arrivée en France, j’ai rendu visite à un médecin français qui était super. Et j’ai fait une cours de physiothérapie avec un kiné français et maintenant tout va bien. Merci la France ! Merci au system de santé français !
J’espère que vous aurez les mêmes résultants que moi.
Amicalement, Keith
Thinking of the Espinasse family this day and sending positive energy your way from San Diego, CA.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, sir! 🙂
Best Wishes for your recovery from rainy California!
Eat nourishing food,and rest and restore!
Sending best wishes for complete healing your way. And enjoy the next adventure as it unfolds with Kirist and all your wonderful family.
A chilly London is warmed by reading the wishes of your worldwide readers and supporters to which I add mine. Plus un petit conseil to remember after forty the best thing we can do for our loved ones is stay well and strong. These wise words I quote from another free newsletter of a wise Korean Canadian doctor which is full of great advice packaged into little videos for keeping the body strong and flexible and the mind calm and collaborative. I always feel grateful for your posts and enriched and feel the same about his words. Take a look http://www.drbenkim.com
Kitchen ideas too! Latish new year greetings for 2017 or early ones for the Chinese NewYear the year of the Golden cockerel starts 28th January to you and all my fellow Francophiles.
From one cyclist to another . . . Life is like riding a bicycle. You have to keep moving to stay balanced. Hope all goes well with your surgery and that you regain the confidence needed to get back on the bike.
Add my voice and best wishes to the many others who all wish you a speedy recovery. God bless you and your family…
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jean-Marc, from very chilly Oregon! There is only One from Whom all blessings and wishes come to pass, and He can work through all of us, as imperfect and perfectly wonderful as we can be, if we allow this to happen. All the best to you and Kristi! (Follow your doctor’s orders!)
Jean Marc, our prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. We hope that you are still able to get your dream house. Many Catholics believe that if you bury a statue of St Joseph upside down next to your for sale sign you will sell your house sooner. But there isn’t anything about him helping you buy the house that you want.Oh well….sorry.
Keep up your good spirits.
Kathleen