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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EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
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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Quite a significant legacy you have created with Mas des Brun, deeply rooted in the sweet earth. What it represents is now part of your story.
So very excited about a third possibility for your new home!!! (I was hoping this would happen!)
Hope that all has gone well for Jean-Marc’s surgery. May the healing be complete. And may life eventually find you in the perfect place filled with renewed joie de vivre…
Best wishes from us both! Chris and George
Jean-Marc,
Bonne chance avec votre chirurgie.
Considérer un jour à la fois pour trouver le bonheur!
Amicalement,
Alison Johnston
J’apprécie beaucoup votre lettre, “French Word a Day,” et je vous souhaite une vite recouvrement et une calme transition dans votre vie. “Nous savons que Dieu travaille en tout pour le bien de ceux qui l’aiment, de ceux qu’il a appellés selon son plan (Romains 8:28).” Que le Bon Dieu vous bénit. -Janet de la Californie.
Wishing you a quick recovery so you can get started on those projects!!!
Wishing you all the best as you look forward to changes in your new life. Sometimes things happen that we don’t wish for but we have to be positive in moving forward. I’m sure it will all work out brilliant for you and your family.
From Columbia, South Carolina, USA. Sorry to hear of accident but your joy of life shall prevail. You remind me of the wick of a candle in the dark, light up and warm the the shadows….
Dear Jean-Marc and Kristi,
Quite a significant legacy you have created with Mas des Brun, deeply rooted in the sweet earth. What it represents is now part of your story.
So very excited about a third possibility for your new home. (I was hoping this would happen!)
Hope that all has gone well for Jean-Marc’s surgery. May the healing be complete. And may life eventually find you in the perfect place filled with renewed joie de vivre…
Best wishes from us both! Chris and George
All the very best to you at this new turning point, dear Jean-Marc. May your ‘unpinned’ elbow mend even better than you expect. May this new life-path prove to be splendidly rewarding for you at every level of your being. It’s the unforeseen ordeals that — over time and through daunting pain — sculpt the spirit toward beauty and strength. Joy lives within these changes and shall be tapped anew as your arm and grieving heart heal to embrace it. What an honour for us, Kristi’s readers, to be a circle of sustaining witnesses as this process evolves for you and your resilient family. In a way, we feel a real part of the web of love around you.
Prayers and best wishes for successful surgery and the healing and new adventures afterwards.
Best wishes for your final recovery and for a new start that brings everyone much happiness.
JEAN MARC, BON JOUR. NOS PRIERES SONT POUR VOUS, ET AUSSI LA DIMANCHE PROCHAIN NOTRE MESSE ET COMMUNION SANTE. GARDEZ LA FOI. HUGO DELATOUCHE.
Our dear Kristi and Jean Marc,
Today wishing Jean Marc all the blessings of a successful surgery and comlete return to health!
And! Needless to say, good luck with the house!Keeping positive thoughts that the door will be opened.
Always,please know that you both remain in our prayers.
Love
Natalia XO
The pins come out & so does the “annus horribilus”……….
New beginnings: keep moving stay balanced.
Tout ira mieux………..la vie est comme ca……….les hauts et les bas.
So many people wishing you well……all those positive thoughts just for you….
How lucky you are……..+ such a totally wonderful family that helps you persevere….& prevail.
Bonne 2017!!
Kay
Sending best wishes from Seattle, Washington (along with my French husband, Thierry)for a very speedy recovery.
Good luck to Jean Marc today! And best wishes for a new beginning for you both. I hope you get the house!!
Dawn
J’espère que Jean-Marc sera bientôt rétabli!
Salut Jean Marc 🙂
Bonne recuperation et à bientot. Nous pensons à toi.
Gros bises,
Gilda et Robert
Best of luck, Jean Marc. I pray that all will be well and you will be out searching for urchins again soon. The best is yet to come.
Pour Jean Marc:
Voici pour une intervention chirurgicale avec succes!
Edie de Savannah
I hope that all went well with the elbow surgery and that you will soon be feeling healed and “raring to go.” Three years ago, I also broke an elbow (my right elbow, and I’m right-handed!), so I can definitely understand what you’ve been going through. Bon courage !
Lynn
Dear Kristi and Jean-Marc,
Prayers for healing and love are sent your way. Here’s to living with joy for life! Fingers crossed for your new home!
Am reading this at 6:45 EST so by now I hope Jean-Marc is recovering comfortably and all went smoothly.
I imagine you are both looking forward to less stressful times with this surgery behind you.
All the best to both of you,
Patricia
Praying for you to return to PERFECT health and use of your elbow.
Take it easy and let your family lavish you with attention. Know that you will get that PERFECT home.
This is the year of RESTORATION!
Love hearing about your lives in France. Like it so much, we are coming to Provence and the Dordogne in May. My husband said he’d never travel in France (after a bad experience in Paris 50 YEARS ago!) This trip was his idea! Praise the LORD!
Our best to you and yours and have a speedy RECOVERY!
Barbara
Jean-Marc Only the best wishes to you and your family, I so enjoy Kristi’s account of your lives. You will be a new man when your elbow is healed and no more pin. Take time to enjoy the little things.
I have followed your wife’s blog for several years. I wish you a fast recovery and a better 2017. Best wishes from Berkeley, CA (p.s. we were in Provence in November and I thought about you and family).
Jean Marc,
I wish you a speedy recovery with no aftereffects.Feel good about treating yourself well! Please keep up your spirits!
Diane
Hello Jean-Marc from California. We send wishes for a speedy and complete recovery and have faith that the New Year will be a renewal of all things wonderful for you and your family. Somehow we feel that you and Kristi are part of our family . So from our house to yours, much love, prayers, and good luck wishes.
Jean-Marc, Wishing you all the best today and as you recover. I believe wonderful days are ahead for you and Kristi!
Bon chance, Jean-Marc, et bon courage as you face tomorrow’s surgery. It seems life has been really tough for you and Kristi recently, and I am sorry. I hope you find a good new home and an interesting new career very soon.
Cher Jean-Marc,
Je vous souhaite une operation “paisible,” et que vous vous remettez completement et bientot.
Je vous souhaite une vie a venir pleine de joie et de possibilites.
Bon courage!
Jean-Marc, J’espère que vous serez bientôt rétabli.
Cher Jean Marc , Bonne chance for your operation , big hugs and love from Australia xxx
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Cher Jean-Marc, bon courage et bon rétablissement. Nous pensons à toi.
Jean-Marc —
Thanks to the time difference, you are probably out of surgery by now. I am sure that all went well, and that you will soon be good as new, ready to head into the next chapter of your [pluriel] life. When I think of your family, two of the first things that come to mind are “love” and “faith.” If you have these, you can’t lose. I know that your future will be filled with joy and many exciting new projects. Tenez bon.
Amitiés,
Bruce
Dear Jean Marc..what a brave and hard working man you are! You remind me of my husband, Bill, for whom at first work was his whole life. He learned that fine as that is, there is much more to life. I see you are entering a new adventure and I have faith that you will be well, happy, and inspired to do new things. Prayers for your surgery and new inspiration afterwards.
Hugs from Your Arizona friend,
Cerelle
bonjour jean -marc because I also broke my wrist and am waiting to get pins put in, I can now absolutely empathize with your pain and situation, I send you God speed and lots of love! on to the next chapter!
Oh my look at all these well-wishes! Breaks will heal. Days will pass. Spirits will improve. There are adventures ahead. Ça vaux la paine!
Jean Marc, I was so sorry to hear about your accident and the pain you have had to endure. I hope with the removal of the pins, your pain will go away and you will be back to normal. Do you think you want to give up the bike? I bet not. Good luck to you and your family. With love and prayers, Rosemary
Jean-Marc – healing thoughts and prayers are on the way! You certainly have literally, ‘given it your all.’ You should be very, very proud of all you have done. Now, if I can just find one of those lovely bottles of Mas de Brun, I will toast to your quick recovery from being put all back to rights! Bonne chance on your house hunting and negotiations! My fingers are crossed for both you and Kristi!
Jean Marc,
I am sending you healthy vibes from a snowy paradise in Portland, Oregon!
I feel like I am in the Alps, clear blue sunshine and a foot of snow in my yard, it looks great on my palm tree 😉
Looking forward to the day your family can come back to Portland to visit and have tea and wine again.
Be well, and my fingers are crossed for your house!
Julie
Jean-Marc, best wishes from New Zealand! Bon courage.
Heal!
I wish you good luck and peace of mind! Thank you for your blog. I learn a lot of words. Much better than taking a course!
Kindly Boel
Salut, Jean-Marc.
Je vous souhaite “bonne chance,” et vous envoie quelques mots que j’ai lus récemment:
“Don’t compare yourself with others, or with the person you used to be and what you used to be able to do. Concentrate on who you are, and what you can do, as the person you are now.”
Sincerement,
Marie
Don’t worry …put 2016 and part of 2015 when you fell off your bike …in th e rear view mirror! You sound like a “can do” sort of guy.
People like that never give up …never stop fighting …not really. Yeah … stuff happens … and it is hard. You and your beautiful family will land on their feet.
Best wishes for a healthy 2017 … with many happy days ahead.
Mary liz
Washington DC
We hope all went well, today! and it was so consoling to see how many responses there have been!
It’s interesting, isn’t it, that we can mark certain times in our lives as turning points….May you be facing a time of positive change and moving toward a time where you feel settled and peaceful. You are through the worst of it, of that I am certain. I have had episodes of depression myself, some triggered by events that would never have appeared, at face value, to be triggers. Others, in retrospect, seem screamingly evident. The good news is, you will get past this….Perhaps you are already there. LOVE to you and Kristi, Eileen XO
Dear Kristi’s readers,
I have no words to tell you how thankful I am to all these supportive messages. My surgery went well and my scar is healing with the help of the most beautiful nurse
Also, for all those of you who asked about where to find Mas des Brun rose in the US, we will keep you posted once they dock on the other side of the Atlantic….which should happen with the first warm days, around Spring time. Stay tuned 😊
Jean-Marc,
I too broke my elbow a few years ago requiring pins and wire. It was a life altering time in my and our family’s lives. Life moves forward in interesting and positive ways. As it always does. As humans we adapt in ways we never imagined.
I’ve not had to have the pin removal surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery and great adventures ahead.
Mary-Jo