Spring Vacation 2010 - Jacqueline's Parents

Magda had her reunion with Jacqueline's parents, and I met a most interesting couple. As I mentioned in a previous blog, Jacquiline's parents are 95 years old, but your would never know it.

They are former teachers that retired almost 40 years ago and moved to Chasseneuil to his family home. A 95 they are remain bight and aware. They still live independently in their home and maintain their large garden behind the house.

Monsieur has a dry sense of humor. You can see a tinkle come to his eyes when something strikes him as humorous. He drinks a glass of wine each day, almost always red and almost always from Bordeaux. He does still drive on occasion.

Madame spoke to use the way she probably talked to her primary school classes over 40 years ago, slowly and with great expression. This is exactly what both Magda and I needed as we struggled to recall our French. She shops an the market each Wednesday and Saturday, engaging the merchants in conversation.

They are a part of the old French bourgeois. That is to say no only are they middle class, but also certain attitude and formality about how people relate to each other. This implies an expectation of  gentleness in relating to others that we were fortunate enough to enjoy. It is also the reason that Magda and I never asked their first names. For us, they were address as Madame and Monsieur, as it should be based on our difference in age.

The picture was taken after dinner the night before we left. In it, you can see, right to left, Jacqueline, Monsieur, Madame, Magda, and Sonia, Jacqueline's daughter.