JACQUI's CURVE

While I was folding some clothes in the laundry room this evening, I told myself that I have to write the final part, no matter how short it is, and end the story of my journey in France earlier this year.

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We arrived Lourdes around 6:00pm. Once we received our room keys, we dispersed very quickly. Indeed, we were in need of another good shower and change of clothing before dinner.

A brief information about this place:

Lourdes is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France. It is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes that are reported to have occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous. At that time, the most prominent feature of the town was the fortified castle that rises up from a rocky escarpment at its centre. (Read more here)

After dinner, while some in my group could not wait to explore the town, I was ready to relax. No more exploring. I had not been online for two days by then and I was itching to check my emails and Facebook. I was glad I did not go out because I started feeling the exhaustion from the long bus ride and stops along the way. I was knocked out by 10:00 o'clock that night.

Next morning, I overheard someone say he was going wine shopping and that person knew exactly where to find it. He and his wife have been there before.

Being new to the community and not knowing anyone except he and his family, I asked if I could join them. Of course, he obliged and pulled along others who were interested in walking downtown with him.

By the day's end, I had made friends with a splendid group of people. Our common weakness - the yummiest cappuccino in town. We always found an excuse to end up in that shop (after fulfilling religious activities).

The weekend we were there happened to be the International Military weekend. It was such a treat taking in the sights and sounds of military from all over the world (well, almost). I have always admired men and women in military uniform and this was all exciting for me.

We arrived there just in time for lunch. While most of us sat down to eat, some of us did not want to miss a thing and had something on the go and explored the whole city.

One of the things that will always stand out in my memory is that one finds many positions to try and get comfortable in a long bus ride. With two seats each to ourselves, most of us did quite well. Towards the end I got tired of letting my legs hang out in the aisle. I contemplated putting them up against the window but that would warrant unwanted attention. So I told myself "a few more hours and I will be back on my comfortable bed." In fact, that was something we all looked forward to - back in our homes for a much-needed good, long nap.

Apologies for the long absence. After many attempts of trying to write Part 2 of My French Connection, I have decided not to pressure and force myself to do it until I am good and ready. For those who have been waiting for it, a thousand apologies. I promise to get back to it as soon as I can. Summer is keeping me busy with other things.

See you soon ...

'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'..

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.'

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

Image at: www.hayko.com/paintings.htm

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

You would have probably noticed by now that there is this weird weather system going on around the world. This is, by far, one of the coldest winters I have experienced. This makes me wonder, is there really global warming? I am no geological expert but my body certainly can tell it is not getting any warmer ... at least during this winter season. Sub-zero temperatures for more than a week is uncomfortable and unusual. And this comes from someone who is fortunate enough to be in a warm house (and grateful for it). I feel sorry for those who are homeless and those who have to work in horrendous icy temperatures because they do not have a choice.

On the positive side, I now have a huge freezer - my garden. If there is no place for food in the refrigerator, just put it out on the porch and it will be good the next day. I just need to make sure it is covered so that the neighbour's cat does not help himself to a frozen feast. Also, the garden looks pretty all white with snow (just ignore the plants that are trying to survive).

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Now, for a little walk down memory lane ... what were you doing in 1987? This only applies to those who remember 1987 for there is a possibility that some readers could have either been too young or too drunk to remember. :) One way I recall a piece of yesteryear is through music. Hearing a familiar song transports me back to a specific memory.

Here are a couple of Top 10s of 1987 that may jog your memory:

Billboard's Biggest Single

1. Faith by George Michael
2. Alone by Heart
3. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
4. C'est La Vie by Robbie Nevil
5. Shake You Down by Gregory Abbot
6. La Bamba by Los Lobos
7. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
8. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
9. Heaven is a Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle
10. The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

Most Watched TV Shows

1. The Cosby Show
2. A Different World
3. Cheers
4. The Golden Girls
5. Growing Pains
6. Who's The Boss
7. Night Court
8. 60 Minutes
9. Murder, She Wrote
10. Alf

Do any of these songs or TV shows bring back a specific memory?