Sunday, October 5, 2014

Time to prepare.





Suddenly, it's dark in the mornings. Two weeks ago we were out and about at seven thirty. Now when we head off the first light is just starting to brush the hills. On our way home we pass the District Nurse . ''Has anyone seen the Very Old Farmer ?''  I suggest she looks in the church yard . The old man goes there every day for a 'chat' with his wife. 

Sure enough he's there. Sitting at the foot of the grave, talking away. '' I've told her to lay the table " he says with mock bravado. It seems that yesterday he got the results of his tests. The surgeon had assured him that the operation would be the end of the matter. The stomach cancer thought differently. Nothing more they can do. ' He should prepare himself '. Why should a ninety two year old go through a procedure like this ? Why there should be no post diagnosis counselling even more mysterious.

Madame Bay is called and enters a deep, whispered , conversation with the District Nurse. Monsieur Bay arrives shortly thereafter. Will they tell the avaricious son ?

The changing of the seasons in deepest, deepest France profonde. Bob and Sophie observe everything from their position at the gate. Sometimes having young healthy dogs is a joy in its own right.

11 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Just hope the doctors don't interfere too much and just keep him alive. Poor man.

We were just getting used to going out at 5:15 a.m. and we've switched to Daylight Savings. We're back to after 6.

Julie said...

Sad news about the farmer

We're getting up in the dark at 6 already, feels like winter's creeping up on us

Anonymous said...

First frost here this morning.
Bob has that knowing look of Wilf in the last picture.
I wish for the Old Farmer peace and comfort until embarking on his next adventure.
x

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I hope for the same things as Teena and Merlin for the Very Old Farmer.

You are right about young healthy dogs. I have found Todd to be such a comfort (and distraction) as I mourned the losses we've had this year.

Fat Dormouse said...

Thoughts and prayers for the Very Old Farmer and for the community of which he is a part.

Swan said...

The old farmer has the comfort of knowing he'll be with his wife again.

Kari said...

Crushing news with its delivery/ follow up so poorly handled. But he's in his own home, living out his final days as he sees fit . He's got the chance to tie up loose ends and make his peace. I suspect he'll live his life fully until the end. How horrible it would have been for him to have received the news in the hospital. He'd probably been shipped off to some sort of care home. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.

WFT Nobby said...

My heart goes out to the Very Old Farmer. Those talks with his wife will help far more than the doctors can now.

Jake of Florida said...

Like everyone else who feels part of your community, my heart goes out to the Very Old Farmer, with prayers that he not suffer until he rejoins his wife at that table she has layed for them.

Mary said...

Sad feelings for Very Old Farmer, but a bit happy in my heart knowing he and his love will be together again.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Sad news about the Very Old Farmer - but he's prepared by the sounds of it and he's letting his wife know. I hope there will be no pain for him. That is the worst.