A Movie of Richard's Life
Hello gang, it's been a while. Lisa's health has been improving steadily thanks to the excellent Kaiser care and her own knowledge of her ailments. She won't be able to join me when I go back to France, but I'll have plenty to keep me busy in good ole Le Chesnay. At least I have my own apartment, and you're welcome to visit if you feel like it, it's a very sweet location near the Versailles Castle. At this point I know it by heart and you won't need a paid guide.
My mom is being herself, and at her age I don't expect major changes. I also realize I'm the one who has to change to handle her stubbornness, and there seems to be a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Besides, her resilience is amazing, and her ability to move on from my dad's passing, astonishing. I think she enjoys her peace and quiet. And the amazing support she is getting from my friend David - truly an angel - and my cousin Patrick.
David runs the French business development branch of the Weizmann Institute, which, via an intriguing coincidence, developed the therapeutic version of the naturally occurring human interferon Beta 1-a molecule that has made Lisa's remission from MS possible. He has three kids from a first marriage, and two from a second. To say he's a busy man is an understatement. Despite his schedule, he makes a point of visiting my mom and getting her what she needs.
Here's a pic of them together.
Patrick also does her shopping. He's the son of my dad's older brother, Georges, who passed a few months ago. Patrick is a devoted son and nephew. And featured in the movie tribute I made for my dad:
It's a very personal take on who my dad was ... I hope you enjoy it.
I'm learning to set boundaries, which, as it turns out, I'm not so good at. Keeping an even keel in this very normal storm (everyone loses parents and has to deal with a difficult elder) is also a challenge. Nearly 61 years old and I'm still figuring out how life works. What a curious adventure. And how strange we can be to ourselves... Many of my reactions surprise me. (Not always in a good way).
May we be kind to ourselves even when we don't like who we are, it teaches us to be kind to other difficult people ;-).
I hope you're all doing ok overall and thanks again for your support, in whichever way it presented and continues to present itself.
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