Christmas

What ideas do you associate with Christmas?

By judging from the shops traffic before Christmas, to many people it is gifts to the loved ones and being together in family that count most.

As I experienced it yesterday, this prevails also for my own family, as we have invited my wife’s 89 years old mother and my daughter with her companion and with their one year old son.

My grandson Théo received many toys yesterday. It’s true that he was looking joyful while discovering and trying to open them. But the toys were so many, that he was not able to really play with any single one.

I do not think this abundance will help with his development. Luckily, many toys will remain in our home and will be proposed to him here later, when he comes to our place.

Being together also means a special meal for the occasion.

My wife proposed for this occasion shrimps, a pie topped with asparagus sprouts, ostrich meat with leeks and frozen chocolate cake with green tea.

As I am vegan, I prepared my own menu: tomatoes with alfalfa sprouts and black olives, yellow and green lentils, buckwheat grains and leeks which we all shared, and finally hot cooked apple with cocoa powder on it (very nice aroma).

I regret animal lives sacrifice and the fact that I have little impact on my family food options.

Apart of being together in family, on previous night I also assisted to the Nativity service in St. Gervais church in Paris.

It was a full, more than two hours long celebration with relevant texts being read, different processions, prayers, beautiful organ accompaniment and especially, fervent monks and nuns choir.

We had some snow in Paris the week before Christmas, but it was gone since and the Christmas day was sunny though short.

St Gervais

In a Park

Farewell to Wanda

It was a short visit to Warsaw for the burial of my mother.
Hugo wanted absolutely to come along, to honor the memory of his Granma.
We took the Swiss plane to Warsaw via Zurich and stayed in Warsaw at my brother’s place.
Monday was completely busy with the ceremony and with the family gathering.
Among those who accompanied her was also Jurek, the physiotherapist who helped her a lot, both physically and spirit-wise in the last period of her life. He too was afflicted by her passing away.

It was a sort of relief when it was all finished.
The next day we did some basic shopping (I usually buy in Poland some « organic » food which is better than in France). Later, we walked in the Old City, a relaxing walk in a sunny day.
We had an early lunch with my brother’s family in the Korkociag restaurant (their vegetarian food is not really the best in class) and took the plane back to Paris.

Warsaw trip pictures:

Farewell to Wanda

Saturday, Nov. 21

The next day after I my mother decease was a Saturday.

I felt I needed to spend some time in a spiritual place.

I went to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal in Paris because I’ve read about this place but have never been there.

From the Luxemburg metro station I walked across the Luxemburg Park by the senate palace up to the Rue d’Assas street and then to the Sevres Babylone metro station. From there, the du Bac Street is only a short distance walk, yet not easy to find because so tightly squeezed by the Bon Marché stores.

As you enter the Chapel yard, you realize that this is a place of exception. The shop on the right hand sells the medals and other religious items. Cards for personal prayer, printed in different languages are presented on the side wall. You can pick one, fill it and deposit in a special box in the chapel.

The chapel has a relatively modern and timeless interior with benches on the ground floor and in mezzanines which are closed by windows. http://www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/EN/b3_Guided_tour.asp#

As I entered, an office in Spanish was under way. The place was well filled with assistance but it was still possible to find a sitting place. I realized that many people here were carrying and spontaneously offering the emotions they were experiencing. Like that lady with antibacterial mask on her face, exposing to the public a cross and prayer beads which she hold in her hand.

What appears immediately is the bright white and blue altar devoted to the Saint Virgin (usually, the main décor is the cross). With the words “Come and pray at this table and the grace will be given to all”. At the end of the Spanish office, the assistance sang beautifully Salve Regina, those soothing words in Latin “…after our exile, wish to turn your eyes on us and recommend us to your Son…”

Soon after the Spanish office, a group of scouts arrived and was given place in front of the chapel and an office in French followed. I heard: “…who is my mother my brother and my sister? These who listen to my words are my mother, my brother and my sister…” and then, later: “…O Lord, remember our brothers who passed away and wait resuscitation. Receive them in your kingdom…”

To me that was all I needed, I prayed for my mother’s soul, for my family who need it and I prayed also for Chen, who strives for living in France and for Yuin Yin who fought cancer, who is so generous and of whom I knew from her internet blog: http://yuinyin.com/

I was thinking about the French writer Zola who, while on visit to Lourdes saw many believers and the commerce associated with the faith but had had no experience of God.

As I was leaving the chapel, a young Rome woman asked me for money and as soon as I gave her a food ticket (I get them from the employer), another woman came to me and asked me to buy something for her in the nearby store that bridges the du Bac street. She took some pampers for her baby, which I paid almost 40 Euros. I noticed that she was well dressed and didn’t look miserable. Further on my way to the Boulevard Saint Germain, I saw many more beggars in bad need but didn’t help them.

Back home, I sent on Internet a blog devoted to my mother. Like a Tibetan prayer flag…

To Wanda (Jan. X 1920 - Nov. 21 2009)

Wanda passed last Saturday

Wanda's school ID card, Krolowej Jadwigi, Siedlce, Poland 1933

Young school girl

With a boyfriend and future husband

Wanda and Antoni wedding, Siedlce 1939

Wanda and cousin Jurek Paciorkowski 1949?

Wanda and Antoni Krasuscy with Bigalke family 1949?

Wanda at her home Warszawa 2007

Wanda in a nursing home, Miedzeszyn 2008

Last picture October 25, 2009 at my brother's place in Miedzeszyn

I was not at my mother's side when she passed, I last saw her one month ago.

On Friday, she complained about stomachache. Ordered by the nursing home, the doctor arrived too late.

To us, her sons, she was a loving mother and also so to her grandchildren and to her grand grand children. She also enjoyed life and always used to have some small projects even in her last days when she was very weak.