In my last post I talked about coffee with my neighbors. I thought I would complete the tour by telling about my other "neighbors." Behind our house there is a little house perched high the hill. I can see it as I type. It says "Prés Hachette" on the wall. When we moved in here, it was the home of a couple, both over 90, and Monsieur G. was already hospitalized. James visited him once before he presided the funeral in October. His first one here, burying the dean of the village. Now his wife was the dean. At the New Year, we saw an ambulance come to her home and wondered if everything was okay. Physically, she was quite limited, but we had so enjoyed our visits there with the children, who made her drawings and always received candy or chocolate. In fact, Madame G. had had a mini-stroke, fallen and remained on the floor all night, as far as her niece could tell. The nurse found her there the next morning. Now the doctor says that she is no longer able to live on her own. She has moved to a nursing home in Plaine. We hope to visit her this week. The dark brown shutters are closed every day.
Next door, to my right as I type, is the home of E. B. She is another of the oldest Walderbachois, having volunteered much time at the museum and as an elder in the parish. We met her in the fall when she was here for the harvest service. Since we saw that she was alone, we invited her to lunch, and had a lovely time getting acquainted with our neighbor. She told us that she wasn't sure "what fly had bitten her" (a French expression) but she now had an apartment at a retirement center in Strasbourg, and wouldn't be home in Waldersbach much. We saw her once more at the Christmas party for the village retirees, where she seemed withdrawn and unhappy. She is also a widow and her husband worked long years in Africa, so the house is full of African art and artifacts. But there is no one at home.
Finally, on the other side, on the banks of the stream that runs near our house, is a beautiful green and white chalet belonging to the E. family. They are German and only come seasonally. We have not seen them since we arrived. We understand that Monsieur is an accomplished organist, but that one or both of them have health concerns (cancer?) and so cannot come to their Waldersbach home much. Once the alarm on the house went off in the evening. I wonder which neighbor had the key to go and turn it off. Perhaps it was a cat or a fox...
We are few here, and even fewer young people. And most days I don't feel very young...
So I enjoy the beauty of the place and pray for the day when it will live again.
Comments (1)
Ahhhh . . . I can hardly wait till the day I can come and see this corner of the world. Thanks for sharing it with me through words. I'm sure it must get lonely. I'm also sure that this time will build an uncommon appreciation for the elderly into your kids. Miss you bunches and more.