Suddenly life stands still

Two weeks ago on Sunday I got a call and learned that my oldest brother had had a heart failure and was in the hospital in coma. Since he was a healthy marathon runner this was very unexpected. The following days I was waiting for news but went on with my life in France in the meantime, since they were going to try to recover him.

So, one afternoon I made a great visit to a former study-mate of mine who owns a marvellous Chambre d'Hote http://www.la-barraque.com/  only a short way from where I am - she is also the person that got me on track to the place I am living now. It was a beautiful trip and a nice afternoon during which we just talked on - after 10/12 years - like we had seen each other recently.

I also spent a nice afternoon in St. Maximin de la Beaume - a village 10km from here where there is a huge, old basilique. There was a tour with explanations all in French and it was a great way for me to try to understand a bit more - I think I got around 75% of what was said, which is not too bad?

Well, then it was Thursday and I got the call telling me that my oldest brother did not have any brain activity anymore, meaning that this was the end for him; he passed away a few hours later. Even though I was so closeby in Europe, I still did not make it in time, but I travelled in my rental car to Holland. It was great to be able to travel there and be with my family, which would have been very difficult from New Zealand. It was a heavy week though that was made easier by friends who made the time to catch up.

And although it was not easy, I had to return, so on Thursday I made the long drive back to France again, to be in time before all of the weekend holidaymakers started to travel south. So, now I am back here in the Provence and trying to pick up where I left which is not as easy as I thought.

Love,
Anita