6 replies to this topic

[Nikon Shooter]

Nineteen years ago, I was commissioned to report on the future restoration plans
of a castle declared cultural good. Everything was fine but a surprise was there for
me at the bottom of these stairs.

A pretty and smily ol'lady was wondering why a bearded bear driving a big motor-
cycle, walking with fast pace carrying a big bag was taking pictures totally ignoring 
her presence!

"Sorry Madame, I was not ignoring you but discovering the place and working my
shots." I showed her my credentials and that seemed to have put the so sweet la-
dy at ease. She invited me for an early morning coffee on her terrace and she went
talking no end about whatever… but always in a funny, amused tone in her voice.

I directed the conversation at some point with questions of my own.

She said she was married at 16 to a 17 1/2 yo (she insisted on that!) young man
that she loved and was drafted in the army during WWII, the day of their mariage.
He was killed within months and she remained a (do I dare say "virgin"?) widow
for the rest of her life. The owner of the castle, who has also lost his son, offered
her this tower as living quarters for life… free of charge.

Claudia (she insisted on that too!) was visited in early March /20 by some folks from
the health department. "Frau Claudia, Sie sind ganz g'sund! Wir werden in einem
Monat zurück sein.… in Ordnung?" They were back in May, June too… all OK.

She was found in her bed in July, victim of CV19… possibly contaminated by the
folks from the HD — since she had no social life to speak of.

I know millions have died and more are on the way but this one… and how it pos-
sibily happened… is too hard for me. 

Auf wiedersehen… Fräulein (I insist!) Claudia, I'll keep your smile forever.

[krag96]

That's very sad, our Sr. citizens, (who I am now one) have always had so much to share with the younger generations.  I, like you count myself very fortunate indeed to have known such fine people wiling to share the stories and life adventures, good and bad with us.  The times they, (and now us) have had which the young will probably never know first hand.   I remember dad took us to meet family and friends, some we got to know very well, others not so much, but there were always wonderful stories to be told if we would just listen.    

 

The greatest tribute you can give Claudia is to pass her stories on. 

[Nikon Shooter]

My grand mother had no education but a primary school third grade.

She worked with the toilet rooms maintenance team for a big insurance
company where all must speak english all the time — french speaking
was not tolerated anywhere in there… nor at any time. We were not un-
happy when they moved to Ontario. We = french speaking québécois.

She thought me way more than my mother ever did… she was talking,
asking questions, telling how it was then and joking about everything.
The only companions I knew she had was a pair of budgies, she lived
longer than the birds did but always replaced them
I think she was the builder of what I am.

 

The greatest tribute you can give Claudia is to pass her stories on. 

I am working on an article on Claudia. Her tragic destiny and the
mellow life she made for her self… she didn't give me the impres-
sion she was bitter but more like very lively and wise.

She also excused herself for wearing rouge and a dash of lipstick:
"It makes me fell younger sometimes".

[Bart]

A really moving story! and with a fitting image for the background.

 

I understand your sadness. It's never easy to say goodbye to someone that touched our lives in a good way.

Unfortunately (?) I've gotten lots of practice for this even from a very young age. I was only 9 when I had to say goodbye to my 9 years older sister under quite dramatic circumstances.

I learned to celebrate the live the people that left us had known and taking that part along with me, rather than to grieve the loss.

 

From the story you wrote I got the same feeling about the lady as you: "... she didn't give me the impression she was bitter but more like very lively and wise ..."

I hope your article can help you carry along that part with you and help dissolve the grieve over time.

[Nikon Shooter]

I hope your article can help you carry along that part with you and help dissolve the grieve over time.

I was very impressed by Claudia but didn't really have a chance
to bond somehow with her… not like a sister or else.

It is more her lost life at the hands of those that were supposed to
take care of it and of her… I am just fücking infuriated… sorry!

[krag96]

How little they've learned from the past.  History has taught us clearly that isolation in plagues and pandemics is the only way they die out and reduce deaths.  My dad was a boy of 12 during the Spanish flu of 1918, his mother kept him and the other children still at home away from people, simple and effective.  That plague seemed to target the young and healthy, this one, us older folks.  They knew that, they should have checked on her via phone or from some distance.  I hate government intervention of any kind.

[Nikon Shooter]

I hate government intervention of any kind.

Personally, I hate the way your president is managing the pandemic in 
your country neighbouring mine. With all the good people around him
he is making a mess… taking the US at the highest stats in the world.
A government is team work, not of such decisions maker

OTH, central Europe is doing rather fine but it is people that will make
it or brake it… not a government, IMVHO.

Just look at what and how New-Zealand has done it!