Au Revoir Madame Paris

She was a small lady but such a grand person. She had lived her entire life here in the village of Oyes, born on the same farm where she passed away two weeks ago. At a young age she lost her father and that was when she took over the family farm with her husband Felix. Felix passed away some three years ago and madame Paris did feel lonely sometimes. 

Once she said to me "La vie est bien faite et puis elle n'est pas bien faite" So simple and so wise. 

She carried vegetables and eggs to our house but more importantly she carried great wisdom that was always welcome. 

The news of her death was shocking, yes, she had been ill for most of spring but she was always outside and didn't skip one single of the two daily walks she took her dog Dora on, so we were looking forward to seeing more of her during the holidays, exchanging courgettes for lemon cakes and learning more lessons on harvesting fruit and trimming trees. 

We had even brought a print out of a picture Michel took of her and her dog in front of our house. Michel gave it to her daughters on the day of her death. In stead of hanging on her kitchen wall it was used for the cover of the folder distributed at her funeral. 

Michel and I talk about how it is possible that someone we had only known for a year has had such a big impact on us. I can't tell you the answer exactly, but she was a very special person and we will miss her greatly and cherish the memory of Madame Paris. (1930-2011)

Janinne Paris walking Dora, April 2011