Bonjour,
The regular edition of French Word-A-Day will return soon. For now, an update from America…
On Bastille Day I walked down to Pike Place Market to order a medium latté and a dozen chouquettes for Dad at a little French bakery, Le Panier. Kip has no appetite these days but can stomach sweets a little more easily than savory foods—though he does his best to wash those down with good ol’ Seattle water, as he calls it.
Coffee and pastries in hand, I returned to our hotel, where my sisters and I had shared a room for the past four days. We called it our sister séjour—even if the trip was really a dad dash, a last-minute journey to be with our father during an unexpected health setback.
Heidi and Kelley were done packing, so we headed to Madison Park, to the apartment Dad and Marsha share near the water, where their little white rescue dog, Jasper, keeps watch from the front steps. Walking down the cobbled pathway—peppered with bungalows, flanked with hydrangeas, and buzzing with life—I felt a knot in my throat, knowing this was goodbye “for now.”
What began last February as a simple operation to remove Dad’s prostate turned into a health scare when some “insignificant traces” became significant.
Arriving at Dad’s place I remembered once again, this was but an au revoir, not an adieu. Though Dad’s health had taken a turn in the past three weeks, there was every chance for improvement—if not full recovery—once he could get in to see the right doctors.
During our twice-daily visits to see Dad, often out on the wooden deck beneath the bright Pacific coast sun, he shared a few of his frustrations including a lack of appetite and fatigue. Regarding his slight cognitive confusion, he said quietly, “It really hurts my feelings not to be able to remember.”
His innocent words touched us and his sense of humor was reassuring, as when he warned us to stay out of trouble each time we parted.
“You stay out of trouble too!” Playful words echoed down the cobbled path, past the blue hydrangeas and the bees, then drifted out over the water, where Mount Rainier shimmered in reflection.
The water sparkled as we walked away—reminding me there were bright spots in all of this. Dad’s health crisis brought the whole Northwest family together after feeling worlds apart. There in Seattle, not far from the Space Needle, we reunited with aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family for lunches, brunches, and picnics overlooking the Sound. We sisters vowed to keep in better touch with everyone—by phone and by email—and sealed the deal with many hugs and I love yous.
On the 14th, as fireworks went off back home in La Ciotat, my sister Heidi and I flew back to Denver from Seattle.
“It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be,” I admitted, as we buckled our seatbelts and prepared for the next leg of the journey: the emotional rollercoaster of supporting a loved one in crisis while living so far away.
The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. But hearing Dad’s clear, caring voice on the phone each day offers something steady to hold on to.
***
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le latté = espresso with steamed milk
la chouquette = airy pastry topped with pearl sugar
Le Panier = The Basket (name of the French bakery)
le séjour = stay or visit
au revoir = goodbye (until we meet again)
adieu = farewell (final goodbye)
La Ciotat = seaside town on the Mediterranean coast of France
Note: While English speakers often call it “Bastille Day,” in France July 14 is referred to as “la Fête nationale” or simply “le quatorze juillet.”
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Best wishes, Kristi. Renee
What a nice set of photographs suggesting such a nice and interesting family!
Hi Kristi,
So glad you were able to see your dad and your sisters. Praying for your dad! I’m sure your visit brightened his spirits!
Blessings,
Eileen
Thank for sharing your family and city with us. Family is so special. Prayers and best wishes for your dad.
Kristi,
Your sejour brings back memories of my sister with our Dad when he was ailing. Sadness mixed with hope and some laughter too. I love the photo of the three of you in front of the hydrangeas with your Dad. And the photo of Jasper is really sweet. All the photos make me think that Seattle should be on our list of places to travel to in the near future.
Hi Kristi,Your father is lucky to have all of you girls ❤️Carolyne Sent from my iPhone
Thanks for sharing about this beautiful and difficult visit.
On the plus side … the Ranier cherries are in season during your visit!
Dear Kristi,
Thank you so much for the update. Concern was starting to set in! These situations are certainly scary but managing them is key. Praying for your dad and the rest of the family. He actually looks quite wonderful!
Best wishes for your dad’s recovery.
Wishing your father well as he recovers. Take care of yourself too.
My heart goes out to you and I’m so glad you are able to travel back and forth and to be with family.
Dear Kristi,So glad you made the trip with your sisters. It\’s always the right thing to do. Should I or shouldn\’t I? Can I afford it? Can I take that many days off from my schedule? Will I need to re-schedule appointments? Everyone I\’ve ever talked to in your situation never regretted it. Making memories is eternal. Love and peace to you.
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
Sending you so much love. Losing a parent is devastating. Allowing him or her to suffer is worse. May your father recover… please know I’m here for you. Love. Karen
Our dear Kristi
Sending unending prayers for your beloved Dad ,and always(!!) courage and strength to you( especially!) and your beautiful family.
Being together is a source of strength and unity ,one you all have demonstrated with such love -and ,of course ,God’s grace.
One thing that might comfort your Dad when memory is not as forth coming: after my operation they told me that it can take six months- or longer -after surgery ( due to the anesthesia) to be able to feel some normalcy again. It is so frustrating a wait!
Do not give up!
Such beautiful pictures! And of course,your gifted words brought all there with you.
Thank you,dear Kristi.
Blessings always.Arms around you tight
Love
Natalia
Sending wishes for a full recovery and return of a healthy appetite for your Dad. It is so important to spend time with our loved ones!
Btw, you may want to note for your readers that here in France, we refer to July 14th as “la fête nationale” or simply “le 14 juillet” and don’t call it Bastille Day, as they do in English-speaking countries. Just like Americans use “the 4th of July” as a stand-in for Independence Day.
Thank you, Sharona. I’ve updated the post with this helpful information.
I love the Pike Place market b/c it reminds me of France!
Thanks for sharing the highs and lows of your trip to support and be there for your dad. The photos of Seattle and the Market are so beautiful and life affirming. Prayers for Kip’s complete recovery and big hugs for you!🙏🤗
my dear friend Kristi,
I was touched by your notes because i have experienced the same with my mother.
i understand well how you felt when you left your father to return home. And as you said, was it au revoir ou adieu?
life is a journey full of excitement and sadness, but it has a lot of happiness in it. day after day, we keep on going and we carry with us, in the memory bag, the good about the people we love. we have a tendency to forget the bad. And each day, the bag is getting fuller, but strangely enough, it is not heavier.
May God bless your father with good health and may he bless you and your sisters with strength to face the future away from your father.
your friend Jean Barrucand.
Beautifully expressed! Thank you, Jean.
Hi, Kristi,
I’m so glad you had this visit. I’ve been praying for your father and will continue to do so. Thanks for the photos, both the great scenic ones (Mt. Rainier in particular) and your family.
Marianne
Oh, good thoughts and healing wishes for your papa. I’m sure you found good doctors and they will do their best. USA docs are reallly good with these things and it’s a common affliction for les hommes…let us know how everything is going and a hug for your darling dad.
Love your new easy comments section. Brava.
I live in Gig Harbor, Wa. so we appreciate your plug for the Northwest. How your Dad stays well.
Your photos of my city are stunning. I’m so glad you and your sisters could be together in Seattle to support your dad. Julene Newland-Pyfer
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Glad you’re able to enjoy our wonderful Seattle summers. Watching Le Tour to get a healthy dose of French geography.
So grateful you were able to be there for your father. You will never regret your trip. Being together, seeing him, hugging him and letting him know how much you love him is healing for him and for yourself. Life and health are fragile. Keeping both of you in my prayers.
I am grateful you were all able to be together to support your father. I am sure that all of you lifted his spirits and energized him for his healing journey. That bond of togetherness is a gift. I trust he will soon find the right doctors. It is hard to leave, and I am glad you have each other’s calls to continue that closeness. Sending your father healing thoughts. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Bonjour! mes amis
L’amour est le mot!
It is great seeing family members to get back together. Life iis to damn short not to. We only have a limited time in life to spend with our loved ones. Créer des soursvenirs
PS: Love the rhythmic pattern of the painting with the umbrella, chairs, and backdrop.
Meilleurs vœusx
Chuck R
I love the photo of you sisters with your Dad. Sending hugs and wishes for his recovery. I’m sure your visits brought much happiness to him!
Prayers for y’all and especially for Kip. Sometimes it takes a crisis to get a family together–lots of love to all.
ooooooh kristi, i am so so so so sorry to hear this health news. sending you both so much love. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Laura Pauli | 650-333-4398 | laura.pauli@yahoo.com
Native Seattleite here, though I now live in Northern Idaho. You covered my favorites: Pike Place Market and Le Panier, where I spent a lot of time. Is Cafe Campagne still at 1st and Pine? It has/had a wonderful Sunday Brunch.
Your dad is now on my prayer list. So glad you and your sisters were able to visit him.
Wishing your dad a quick recovery from the complications. Je t’embrasse fort, Jo
Hi, Kristi,
You were so close recently in the Northwest, & I’m sure so busy being with your Dad & sisters. Your post sparked me to reach out & update you on my life here in Seattle, since Mike & I last say Jean-Marc & you in France back in (gasp!) 2008! We had a lovely lunch that spring at your house, & a wonderful visit with you two.
Since then, my beloved Mike died in 2023, after an extremely courageous battle with first bladder cancer, then bile duct caner over 8 years. He was just about to turn 75 years old, & still had his great looks & sense of humor.
I’ve been “rebuilding” my life since then, & learning to look for new sources of joy, besides my 2 wonderful stepsons & my awesome support group of friends. I’ve traveled extensively, taken up pickleball, gone to scuba classes & said “yes” to any & all social invitations.
Last year, I reconnected with my former dentist, David Branch, who had retired 7 years previously We’ve now been dating for a year. I truly feel that Mike “put him on my path,” which I told him often in heaven that that was the only way I’d be with another man. I was out walking with a girlfriend when David saw me, & he stopped & stood on my path to give me a hug, having read Mike’s obituary in the paper. The rest, as they say, is history.
I’m so proud of you & your continued commitment to writing & keeping your readers & fans updated on your life & pursuits. Good for you!
Please give my warmest regards to Jean-Marc, & know that I send you much love & all possibles wishes for continued success, dear Kristi. God bless you both!
Warmly, Annie Brixner
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Bonjour Kristi.
I was sorry to read about your Dad\’s health issues, but glad you were able to spend some quality time with him.
I have a language school and we are working on a project with presentations and activities (all online) from …. literally….every francophone area of the world.
We plan to sell subscriptions in a few months but for now we are just inviting friends and some of our students to attend our presentations and events.
As I was reading your post I thought to offer that if you would like for me to send your Dad to the activities and presentations (free of charge) I would be happy to do so.
We have cooking lessons, wine appreciation presentations, talks on animals in francophone countries, talks about Africa, French Canada, Oceania…..every day from Wednesday-Sunday we have something going on.
Anyway, I hope your Dad keeps doing better and better. Please let me know if you would like for me to put him on our mailing list for the Zoom links.
Bien à vous,
ohhhh Kristin,
I’m sorry to hear Kip’s news, but medically speaking, he’s in the right place, and as you say… he needs to see the right doctors.
I’m just across the lake from Seattle, and I look forward to seeing The Mountain every time I cross one of the floating bridges. I’m glad you and your sisters were able to visit Kip, and I’ll keep him in my thoughts for the future. If there’s something that needs a local to handle, please reach out.
Bonsoir Kristi,Your Dad lives very close to my husband and I (also octogenarians – I’m guessing he is). Our granddaughter sent us yourwriting when she recognized the Madis
Bon courage
There is nothing like family. Nothing. ♥️🙏🏼🙋🏻♀️
Touching story and great photos (we live in WA, and our son is a Seattle NPR journalist for KUOW- Sound Politics… He’ll be in France with us net month). Wishing your father a good recovery.
Bittersweet times. Thinking of you all.
Bon courage à vous et votre famille, Kristi !
Hoping that your father has a speedy recovery. Always great to spend time with family and I’m sure he was so appreciative of your, and your sisters, visit.
I know well the challenges of living far away from an aging, ailing parent. You are clearly loving and honoring your father well – as you do with your mother who is très proche. Bon courage.
Loved the report and I leave prayers for your dad. I’m not online as much anymore but seeing those photos of the Seattle area sure makes me homesick.I wonder if I could use the one of Mt Rainier for FB or something? I lived in WA State for 30 years so I feel a great connection.
Thank you so much. Helen
I’m late in commenting due to a very sick kitty who is having surgery on 24 July. Thanks for the wonderful photos of Seattle. The market ALMOST looks like France! And then there are the three beautiful sisters and a handsome Father! You had quite a challenging visit. Courage! Eleanor
I hope that your Dad will be okay. It is so hard to be far away when loved ones are not feeling well. Take good care.