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Cooler this morning but still no sign of the forecast, and much needed, rain. Sophie is much happier facing temperatures in the mid-20's rather than high 30's. |
Yesterday was a day of high drama. There's no sign of the Old Farmer on his balcony when we head off for our start of the day walk. Still no sign of him at six, or seven. Highly unusual. I wait until ten then bang on his door. No reply. I call his mobile. From outside you can hear it ringing. He has one of those phones with large buttons and a super strong ring tone. I call his daughter and the old mayor. They too try banging on the door. The sapeur pompiers are summoned. It takes them twenty minutes to arrive. Their numbers have been pared by the latest Covid variant that is sweeping across France and we have to wait for them to assemble a crew.
The firemen break the glass doors that lead onto our neighbours terrace. They find him lying on the bed. The paramedic discovers that he's breathing like a baby. Somehow he's managed to sleep through everyones efforts to wake him. He's taken off to hospital for checks.
In the evening he's back at home sitting on his terrace. He's pretty much lost his hearing, is not eating properly and isn't sleeping well due to the heat. The hospital wants to keep him in. He's not having it. He wants to be home. His daughter is told in no uncertain terms to come and collect him. After what she tells me is a ferocious argument she agrees.
As the sun sets Sophie and her companion do a tour of the village. We stop to the the German billionaire about all the excitement.
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10 comments:
Sorry to learn about the health of the Old Farmer. Was the ferocious argument because the daughter refused to collect her father or because the Old Farmer did not want to leave his home of many years? Having had to deal with (for the want of a better expression) an elderly relative who did not want to go into a home after having a stroke, it is not easy situation to be be in.
It comes as no surprise that the Old Farmer refused to stay in hospital. It's one of those situations where one feels a certain respect for his determined independence, but also very much sympathises with the daughter having to deal with the situation and trying doing her best for him. I hope a compromise which keeps him comfortable and her not too harassed can be worked out.
Cheers, Gail.
The daughter has reached that stage in life where she's having to recognize that she, rather than her father, will have to make the decisions. Having said that our old neighbour is fiercely if not ferociously independent. Already the social safety net is getting to work. Lunch will be delivered to him every day by the 'meals on wheels' service, the post lady will make sure that she talks to him during her rounds( part of the post office service here - if there's no reply someone is sent round to ensure all is well) and a cleaning lady will come in twice a week. The French have discovered its better and cheaper to keep people in their own homes for as long as possible rather than inundating expensive retirement care. It goes without saying that The Old Farmer objects to free meals, the attention of the post lady and the imposition of a cleaner.
I read an article years ago about the "sandwich generation" which talks about women who are looking after both their elderly parents and their children. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2013/01/30/the-sandwich-generation/
What an excellent service! Let's hope that The Old Farmer will mellow and accept some outside help. There comes a time for most of us when we have to accept that it's time to curtail our independent streak and let helpers in.
A pleasantly cool morning here too, with a lovely refreshing breeze - most welcome after the blanketing heat we've had for some days.
Inca has suddenly decided that all dogs we see on our walks present a threat and wants to turn tail and run home. This morning she cowered behind me when her very favourite doggy friend walked by, and I chatted to her owner. I hope it's just laziness combined with the heat, though at 7 a.m. it was still cool and shady.
My father fought to stay in his own home, to die at home, as he wished. I am so glad we didn't force him to do otherwise. There is a line in a Jimmy Buffet song, "I'd rather die while I am living, then live when I am dead." A lot of older people see being confined to a hospital or nursing home as a living death.
I'm relieved the old farmer rallied. Maybe the annoyance of having unsolicited Meals on Wheels deliveries and daily check-ins with the post lady will give him a needed adrenalin boost. I'm so glad you were paying attention. He might not have made it back to his home if it weren't for you keeping tabs on him.
What a difficult position for the daughter to be in. I do not envy her having to balance his wants and needs. A reminder that it can truly 'take a village' - A village and good and kind neighbor that he is so fortunate (and blessed) to have.
I love the French social safety net! What a sensible solution to a very difficult problem. Glad you and Sophie are keeping an eye out!
The Old Farmer’s daughter has my sympathies. Been there/done that. She’s very fortunate to have you, the Font and the village.
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