Friday, April 13, 2018

Thank God for small voices and smiles.


A kind lady in America has sent some Jelly Beans and books to The Rickety Old Farmhouse. They are delivered in the morning post. On the way out of the door to Loics mothers funeral some small voice tells me to go back inside and pick up the bag of Jelly Beans. Thank God for still small voices. The Jelly Beans prove invaluable. Loic is clearly aware that something unusual has happened but  is unsure how to respond.


The bag of Jelly Beans keep Loic silently engrossed through the sermon - a tasty diversion that allows the funeral service to stay on track. The internment a sad although well attended affair. The officiating priest sets the tone by telling us that this is his eleventh funeral this week. He then goes on to add '' but it's no less beautiful for that ". 

After the service, sensing the kind words of well wishers are overwhelming him, Loic and I go to the cafe facing the church for a coffee. He has some vanilla and strawberry ice cream. He informs me ' Mummy's very tired but now she's happy '. I find myself agreeing. For what it's worth I tell him she was very proud of her strong, brave boy. On the retelling this seems saccharine and patronising but at the time seemed to be as honest and true a thing as has ever been said. Loic is also told he can drive the garden tractor the next time he comes to blow leaves. His broad smile lights up an otherwise drab day.


On our way home the phone rings. '' Could you come and pick me up ? " . It's The Old Farmer. He is ready to be discharged from the hospital. The surgeon has suggested that he go into a care home for a few weeks to recuperate. The Old Farmer has firmly ( and not so politely ) declined the offer.



In the afternoon Bob stands on his stump seat and watches as the venerable silver Mercedes heads slowly down the lane. Behind the wheel one glad to be home old man.

And so passes another day in a French village when 'nothing' happens.



15 comments:

Emm said...

I had just finished reading several info pieces on the sheer nastiness of what now passes for the US government, and the loving kindness of your post, jelly beans and all, is now making me tear up. So grateful that there are good people in the world and that you write about them. Thank you.

Taste of France said...

Teary here, too.
Hoping for the best for Loïc.

Virginia said...

Those jellybeans were indeed inspired, and your kindness to both Loic and the Old Farmer remind me, too, that there is goodness in the world, done one action at a time, by good people. Thank you Angus

WFT Nobby said...

Feeling overwhelmed by kind words of well wishers is a feeling I can relate to right now.
So pleased the Old Farmeris back home.
Cheers, Gail.

WFT Nobby said...

Feeling overwhelmed by kind words of well wishers is a feeling I can relate to right now.
So pleased the Old Farmeris back home.
Cheers, Gail.

Coppa's girl said...

There is nothing saccharine about your caring and comforting words to Loic, Angus. Thank goodness for people like yourself and kind well wishers.
Good news that the Old Farmer is back home again, and he's obviously not going to let the grass grow under his feet !

Anonymous said...

I agree with Coppa's Girl. There was nothing saccharine about your kind and reassuring words. The only "saccharine" was in that small bag of "jelly-belly-beans" that were an impulse buy. I'm glad we both listened to our "little voice" and included them. The cost of mailing the package (before Easter) worth every penny and more. I hope you find something interesting in the books, and the 'au-jus' for Bob and Sophie, enjoyed.

10NISNE1 said...

So kind and just what Loic needed to hear.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I too well up at the image of a Scotsman and his French gardener sharing a small moment at a table in a small rural place. Then tomorrow will come. Hope TOF doesn't regret haste in refusal of ongoing care... YAM xx

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

If only the good things people do could be reported, and not the bad. . . Well done Angus. You and The Font, Bob and Sophie, have taken care of your flock.

dustbunny8 said...

I don't know which brought more tears, your enduring kindness in a often unkind world to both your neighbors or the unbreakable love of mother for child. Your blog is a refuge and lesson in what is important in these troubled times here.

I'm a Sophie Doodle Dog said...

"In a world where you can be anything; be kind..." This is my favorite quote but I do not know the author. Thank you for your kindness.

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Well done to you for sending them and Angus for giving them to such a deserving situation. Quite teary here too....it’s good to hear about nice people making a difference. Kindness wins xx

Susan said...

I don't know which of them, Loic or the Old Farmer, will need more looking out for. Now he's home, TOF is obviously going to attempt to do too much before he's fully recovered. Loic is going to be a bit lost for a while. I admire your willingness to take on responsibility for neighbourly kindness.

MOPL said...

indeed. there are some lovely people in this village